#playworksforus

It's that time of the year when our country experiences extreme weather disturbances ~ your family may get flooded in or have to leave your house in a hurry as a response to a natural disaster or event. Here’s how to get your family prepared for an emergency.

Do earthquake and evacuation drills at home

At Playworks, we have emergency drills every other month. This helps the children to know what to do in case of an emergency. Drills help to ease their fears and worries since they get to play out what to do in a safe setting. Frequent drills also automate the reactions of our teachers and staff so they know what to do in a real emergency.

You can talk to your children and caregivers about what to do in case of an emergency - including how to respond to an earthquake and fire. They also need to know when to evacuate and where to go.

Helpful tips for drills:

Prepare your child before starting the drill by informing him or her that you are going to practice.

You can read books about responding to emergencies.

When evacuating, you can sing songs to ease your child's fears.

Preparing an emergency go bag for your child

After an emergency, you may need to survive on your own for several days. Your disaster supplies kit should have food and water aside from other basic supplies that you would usually have at home. To help your child, here are some other things you can add to his or her bag:

Non-perishable food that your child would like to eat (canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, dried fruit, granola). Make sure to avoid salty food such as chips, which would make your child thirsty.

Mess kits with a plate, cup, and utensils. Remember to pack a sippy cup or milk bottle, if your child uses one.

Water

Waterproof flashlight and extra spare batteries

Change of clothing, including socks, underwear, and/or diapers

Small blanket

Wet wipes / antibacterial wipes

Extra face masks

First aid kit

Hygiene kit (with your child's toiletries and toothbrush)

Rain coat

Emergency go bag documents: Laminated identification, pictures of kids with full names and address, how to reach you if you get separated from kids, emergency contacts, driver’s license, passport, etc.

Cash in small denominations

Quiet games (coloring books or puzzle books, deck of cards)

Child’s favorite toys or comfort item (blankie, a stuffed animal)

You can prepare the heavy items into one bag for an adult to carry and put your child's special, personal items in a smaller bag.

You can download this file by clicking on the link.