News Release: Four Red Cross Steps Help Kids Be Ready for Disasters

Fort Worth Tornado Survivor: "The best thing I can do for my children is teach them how to prepare and react if we have another storm."

Washington, D.C., May 17, 2001 — As spring thunderstorms threaten communities throughout the nation with tornadoes and flooding, the American Red Cross urges parents to include the most vulnerable members of their families — their children — in family plans for disasters.

"Parents are often concerned that children will just get frightened when talking with them about disasters," said Dusty Bowenkamp, senior associate of Disaster Mental Health for the American Red Cross. "The truth is, they understand more than we might think, and including children in disaster planning will help them survive," she added. "By educating your children before disaster strikes, you help them better cope with the trauma of the experience and the losses they may suffer," said Bowenkamp.

Debbie Henrietta's was one of 1,500 families who lost homes or belongings, as well as their sense of security in the Dallas/Fort Worth tornadoes a year ago. Henrietta, the mother of four young children, says it was the most horrifying experience of her life. "My children were crying and I was trying to comfort them. But I was afraid, too," recalled Henrietta. "Windows were breaking all around us. Utter chaos was happening on the other side of the thin walls holding us in. As we clung to each other, we prayed endlessly that we would live. We watched the water in the toilet get sucked out. It was the most frightening thing," she concluded.

Henrietta says that as a result of the tornado, they have identified a new safe place in their home. "We were always told to go to the bathroom," she said. "But we've learned that the bathroom is not the safest place in our home. Now, we go to a closet."

The Henriettas have become disaster preparedness experts since the tornado, purchasing flashlights, weather radios, first aid kits and other supplies. They've also learned about weather. Everyone in the Henrietta family knows what to do when the tornado sirens sound.

Last Saturday, when a tornado damaged more than 100 homes just 8 miles from Henrietta's newly rebuilt neighborhood, the family huddled in their closet, with supplies at hand, until the weather reports gave the all-clear. Henrietta said they were scared, but she believes they made good decisions.

"The hardest thing is having to tell my children the truth about weather," she said. "I can't tell them it won't happen again. I can't promise to keep them safe. I tell them the truth and we talk openly about disasters. The best thing I can do for my children is teach them how to prepare and react if we have another storm."

Disaster preparedness involves the entire family. Parents should inform themselves of preparedness and response issues, and they should share this information with their children. It is important to talk with children about safety and to include them in planning for a disaster. Often adults will take precautions at their children's suggestion that they would not normally take.

"The best way to help children cope is by understanding what causes their anxieties and fears," Bowenkamp said. "Children depend on daily routines. They wake up, eat breakfast, go to school and play with friends. When emergencies or disasters interrupt or threaten to interrupt this routine, children usually become anxious."

In a disaster situation, children are most afraid that someone will be injured or killed, that they will be separated from the family or that they will be left alone. By helping children understand disasters and be prepared for them, they are empowered, reassured and comforted.

Create a Family Disaster Plan by taking four simple steps:

• First, learn what hazards exist in your community and how to prepare for each.
• Then, meet with your family to discuss what you would do, as a group, in each situation.
• Next, take steps to prepare your family for disasters by posting emergency phone numbers, selecting an out-of-state family contact, assembling disaster supplies kits for each member of your household and installing smoke detectors on each level of your home.
• Finally, practice your Family Disaster Plan so that everyone will remember what to do when a disaster does occur and where to meet in case of emergency.

Make children a part of disaster planning:

• Everyone in the household, including children, should play a part in the family's preparedness efforts, as well as your response and recovery efforts.
• Make a game of putting together a disaster supplies kit. Have older children think of items that should be included in the kits and have younger children find the items (at home or at the store) and put them in the kit. Be sure to include small games or books and their comfort items, such as a blanket or stuffed animal, in the kit.
• Keep a flashlight beside your children's beds. Have the youngest child lead your family with a flashlight during disaster drills.
• Teach your child how to recognize danger signals. Make sure your child knows what smoke detectors, fire alarms and community warning systems sound like.
• Teach your child how and when to call for help. Post emergency numbers by the telephones, and have a plan of action for what your child should do if telephones are out of service.
• Help your child memorize your family name, address and phone number.

Immediately after the disaster, reduce fear and anxiety:

• Keep the family together and make children a part of getting the family back on its feet.
• Calmly and firmly explain the situation and what will happen next.
• Listen to children as they talk about the disaster; encourage their questions.
• Include the children in the recovery activities. Give them responsibility, chores, etc.

For more about helping children prepare for and cope with disasters, contact your local Red Cross.