As a parent, the safety and well-being of your child is always top of mind. Whether it's a natural disaster, a sudden illness or an accident, emergencies can happen at any time, and children often look to their parents for guidance and reassurance. While you can’t prepare for every possible scenario, knowing how to help your child feel prepared can put them (and you) more at ease.
Dr. Debbie Chavez-Mitchell at Atrium Health Levine Children's Rea Village Pediatrics shares how to help your child stay calm in a crisis and ensure your family has a head start in emergency preparedness.
Communicate openly
Talking openly about potential crises helps build trust and ensures that your child feels supported. Encouraging your children to ask questions and express their fears and concerns about emergencies can also help them feel more confident and prepared to face unexpected events such as a house fire, medical emergency or natural disaster. Chavez-Mitchell says it’s important to listen to your child without judgment and provide honest, age-appropriate information.
- For younger children, use simple terms and reassure them that there are plans in place to keep them safe.
- Pro Tip: Explain the role of first responders like police officers, firefighters and paramedics, emphasizing that these are trusted adults who are there to help in emergencies.
- For older children, you can provide more detailed information and even involve them in preparedness activities like choosing a meeting point, gathering emergency supplies and practicing first aid.
- Pro Tip: Discuss the importance of calling 9-1-1 in certain scenarios and what information they may need to give the dispatcher.
Make a plan
One of the best ways to prepare for an emergency is to have a clear family emergency plan. Chavez-Mitchell suggests involving your child in creating the plan, so they know what to do if something happens.
Here are a few key elements to include in your family’s plan:
- Emergency contacts: Make sure your child knows how to dial emergency services and who to contact if you're separated. Create a list of phone numbers with family members, neighbors, trusted friends and 9-1-1.
- Pro Tip: Consider having a dedicated home phone for emergencies. This can be especially useful if your child is too young to have their own cellphone.
- A designated meeting place: Identify a safe place where the family can reunite if you’re separated during an emergency. This could be a neighbor’s house, a park or another easy-to-remember location.
- An emergency kit: Prepare a kit that includes supplies that can sustain your family for at least three days. Essential items include water, snacks, a flashlight with extra batteries, a first-aid kit, important documents and any medications your child may need. Make sure your child knows where the kit is stored.
- Assigned roles: Give each family member specific responsibilities, like who will grab the emergency kit or who will check on pets. Clear roles can streamline actions and ensure nothing important is overlooked.
Practice regularly
Rehearsing your emergency plan together helps your child understand what to expect so emergency responses feel like second nature. Conduct drills for different scenarios, such as fire escape routes, natural disasters and medical emergencies. Try to keep the drills short and fun to keep your child engaged. The goal is to reinforce the plan so each family member can stay calm and act quickly during an actual emergency.
Teach basic skills
Even young children can learn simple first-aid skills that might help during an emergency. While you don’t need to teach them everything, Chavez-Mitchell encourages parents to cover some basics:
- How to treat minor cuts and bruises: Show your child how to clean a wound and apply a bandage.
- How to stay calm if someone is hurt: Teach them to stay with the person, call for help and avoid moving them unless necessary.
- Pro Tip: For older children and teens, you can look into first-aid or CPR courses designed for their age group.
Stay informed
Keep up with local emergency alerts and weather notifications to be aware of potential threats in your area. You can sign up for text alerts from local government agencies or download an app that provides real-time emergency updates.
If you live in an area prone to specific disasters (like hurricanes or earthquakes), learn about the most likely scenarios and tailor your family’s plan to anticipate those risks.
If an emergency does happen…
- Try to stay calm. Children often mirror their parents’ reactions. Keeping your composure in an emergency (at least on the outside) can help your child feel more secure and help prevent panic. Chavez-Mitchell suggests using a soothing tone to provide clear, simple instructions to your child and reassure them that you are there to keep them safe.
- Know when to go to the emergency department. Learn more about where to go for the right care.
- After the immediate danger has passed, it’s important to check in on your child's emotional well-being. Let your child express how they’re feeling about the event. Offer comfort, and don’t dismiss their fears.
- Watch for signs of stress. Keep an eye out for behavioral changes like difficulty sleeping, irritability, or clinginess. These could be signs that your child is struggling emotionally after the event.
- Seek professional support when needed. If your child has difficulty recovering emotionally after an emergency, consider consulting a counselor or child psychologist who can help them process the experience.
Preparing your family for emergencies isn’t about causing fear — it’s empowering your child and helping them feel safe. With a solid plan, calm communication and regular practice, you can boost your child’s confidence in their ability to handle unexpected situations.
Our team of experts at Atrium Health Levine Children’s is committed to the health and safety of your child. Find a pediatrician near you today.
