Preparing for Emergencies

Alright kiddo, so imagine you're playing with your toys in your room and suddenly you hear a really loud noise outside. Your mom or dad comes in and tells you that there's an emergency and you need to leave your room right away.

Now, it's normal to feel scared or worried during emergencies, but the good news is that there are things you and your family can do to help keep you safe and prepared in case something like this happens.

First, it's important to make a plan with your family. This means sitting down and talking about what you would do if there's an emergency like a fire, earthquake, hurricane or even something like a power outage or a gas leak. You can make a plan together by using a map of your house and deciding on a meeting spot outside where you can all go to be safe.

Next, you'll want to pack an emergency kit. This is a bag that you keep in case you need to leave your house quickly. You can decorate your bag and make it fun, but make sure it has important things like extra clothes, water, snacks, a flashlight and batteries. It's also a good idea to pack things like a first aid kit, some toys or games, and important family documents like birth certificates.

Another good thing to do is to practice your emergency plan. This means doing some pretend drills with your family where you practice what you would do in case of an emergency. Maybe you pretend there's a fire and you have to get out of your house quickly and meet at your designated spot outside. By practicing, you will feel more comfortable and confident if a real emergency were to happen.

Remember kiddo, emergencies can be scary, but being prepared will help you and your family stay safe and calm. And always remember to listen to your parents or other grownups during an emergency and do what they tell you to do.