Emergencies can happen anytime, and being prepared is important for everyone—even kids! Our kids' preparedness section is designed to make learning about safety fun and easy. With interactive activities, games, and engaging resources, children can discover how to create an emergency kit, make a family communication plan, and understand what to do in different types of disasters. By learning preparedness skills early, kids can feel more confident and ready to handle emergencies. Start exploring today and become a Preparedness Hero!

Disaster Preparedness Coloring Book

Guide to Helping Children Cope with Disasters

Helping Children Cope with Disasters

Disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes, fires, floods, hurricanes, and hazardous material spills can occur suddenly and without warning. While these events can be alarming for adults, they can be even more traumatic for children, especially if they are unprepared.

During a disaster, families may need to evacuate their homes and adjust to unexpected changes. This disruption can cause children to feel anxious, confused, or scared. As caregivers, it’s essential to support children in a way that minimizes their fears and prevents lasting emotional distress.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross have developed these guidelines to help children navigate disasters with greater resilience. While every child’s needs are unique, these recommendations can serve as a helpful starting point for providing reassurance and guidance.

Children’s Reactions to Disasters

Children thrive on routine—waking up, having breakfast, going to school, and playing with friends. When disasters disrupt their daily lives, they can become anxious and uncertain.

During an emergency, children will look to adults for guidance. Your response to the situation influences how they react. If you remain calm and composed, they are more likely to feel reassured. However, if you display fear or distress, children may mirror your emotions, reinforcing their own sense of danger and uncertainty.

Children’s fears may also stem from their imagination, making it essential to validate their emotions. If a child feels afraid, their feelings are real and should be acknowledged. Providing clear, honest, and age-appropriate information helps them process what is happening in a way that feels manageable.

Fear is a natural response to danger, but as an adult, your role is to provide stability. Once the immediate threat has passed, focus on addressing your child’s emotional needs. Ask them about their thoughts and feelings, and involve them in family recovery activities to help restore a sense of normalcy. Your response during this time can leave a lasting impact on their emotional well-being.

Common Fears Children Experience After a Disaster

After experiencing a disaster, children may be most afraid that:

• The event will happen again.
• Someone they love will be hurt or killed.
• They will be separated from their family.
• They will be left alone.

Children’s Reactions to Disaster by Age

Mental health experts note that children are particularly vulnerable to disaster-related stress. Anxiety can arise from losing personal belongings, disruptions to family life, and an overall sense of insecurity. Parents should be mindful of signs of distress, which vary by age group:

• Children 5 and under: May show increased crying, clinginess, nightmares, fear of darkness or being alone, loss of appetite, or regression to earlier behaviors like thumb-sucking or bed-wetting.
• Children ages 5-11: May display anxiety, irritability, aggression, excessive competition for parental attention, whining, withdrawal from friends, or loss of interest in normal activities.
• Children ages 11-18: May exhibit rebellious behavior, physical complaints, apathy, or sleep disturbances.

Supporting Children Before and After a Disaster

Before a Disaster: Creating a Family Emergency Plan

You can help your child feel prepared and confident by developing a Family Disaster Plan in four simple steps:

1. Understand local hazards: Learn about the types of disasters that may occur in your area and how to prepare for each one.
2. Discuss emergency plans as a family: Talk about what each family member should do in different situations.
3. Take action to prepare:
   • Post emergency phone numbers in visible locations.
   • Choose an out-of-state emergency contact.
   • Assemble disaster supply kits for each family member.
   • Install smoke detectors on every level of your home.
4. Practice your plan: Regular drills will help children remember what to do in an emergency.

Teaching Children to Recognize and Respond to Emergencies

• Recognizing warning signs: Teach children the sounds of smoke alarms, fire alarms, and community warning systems such as sirens or horns.
• Calling for help: Instruct children on how and when to call 9-1-1 (or the local emergency number) in case of an emergency. Post these numbers near every phone in your home.
• Memorizing family details: Children should know their full name, address, and phone number. If they are too young to memorize this information, provide them with an index card listing emergency contact details.

After a Disaster: Helping Children Recover

• Keep the family together: While you seek assistance or housing, try to stay with your children as much as possible. Separation can increase anxiety and fear that their parents may not return.
• Provide clear, honest explanations: Speak calmly and at their level, explaining the situation and what will happen next. Example: "Tonight, we will all stay together in the shelter."
• Encourage open conversations: Let children express their feelings and ask questions. Include them in family discussions to reassure them that their concerns matter.
• Give children responsibilities: Assign small recovery-related tasks, like organizing supplies or helping clean up. This fosters a sense of control and helps them feel that life will return to normal.

Understanding your child’s fears and anxieties allows you to provide the reassurance they need. By offering comfort, structure, and a sense of security, you can help them navigate this difficult time and build resilience for the future. If your child continues to struggle with fear or anxiety, consider seeking guidance from a mental health professional or clergy member.

Teaching Children How to Call for Help

Ensure your child knows how and when to call for emergency assistance:

• If you live in a 9-1-1 service area, teach them to call 9-1-1 for help.
• If your area uses a different emergency number, check your local phone directory and post the correct number near all phones in your home.

This information was adapted from the American Red Cross (ARC) pamphlet ARC 4499.