Children – Prepare Metro KC

Preparedness for Children

Disaster planning, response and recovery efforts must take into account the unique needs that children have.

Kids need a disaster kit, too, so encourage them to build a child-size emergency kit including toys, games and contact information.
Know the emergency plan at your children’s school or primary care provider.
Teach children to approach first responders in a disaster in case they are separated from family.
Create a child ID card, with fingerprint and current photo, and keep it in your disaster supply kit.
Put child-sized dosages of over-the-counter medication in your first aid kit.

For more information, contact your local emergency management office.

Home fires can happen at any time, but they generally increase during the fall and winter, with December and January being the peak months.

Choose a meeting place outside your home.
- Draw a diagram of your home and plan two escape routes.
- Help children practice going to the outside meeting place.
Practice, practice, practice and make being prepared fun.
- Help children practice your escape plan using different scenarios.
- Teach them to never go back inside a building that is on fire – Get out and stay out.
- Practice in the dark or with eyes closed to simulate what it might be like in a real fire.
- Crawl through rooms and hallways to avoid smoke inhalation.
- Teach children to use the back of their hand to touch doors before opening – if the door is hot, don’t open it.
- Test windows to ensure screens can be removed easily and windows aren’t stuck.
- Teach the Stop, Drop and Roll technique.
Have a plan for children who cannot get outside by themselves.
- Practice rescuing infants or other children with mobility limitations.
Establish a family emergency communications plan.