Staying Safe in Emergencies: Planning Ahead for Families

Since the September 11th attacks in 2001, our nation's sense of security has been shaken, highlighting the importance of having a family plan to deal with emergencies. In addition to the possibility of future terrorist attacks, a plan will help families deal with emergency situations such as hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and forest fires. An emergency preparedness plan can make the difference between a state of confusion and staying safe. The following are some tips to insure family safety.

Creating an Emergency Preparedness Plan

• All members of the family should participate in the plan, but keep in mind that children's reactions are influenced by their parents' mood and manner of presentation. Parents should explain the reasons for the plan in a calm and reassuring manner in an atmosphere that will encourage children to express their emotions. Creating a plan will normalize the experience as a part of life and enable family members to feel that they have some control over their reactions to events.

• Be honest and use language children can understand. Find a balance between flooding children with too much information and overprotecting them by withholding appropriate information.

• Consider the age of the child:
  • Young children confuse facts and fantasies. They don't have the ability to keep events in perspective and may think something happening in the media may happen to them.
  • School-age children may demonstrate new fears and avoidant behaviors and need support.
  • Teens consider issues related to ethics and politics. They may feel a need to take action.

• Reassure children that adults and other professionals (parents, police and fire departments, schools, mayors and other government officials) are working hard to protect them.

• Discuss possible sources of threat—flood, fire, earthquake, hurricance—but avoid over-dramatization.

Components of the Plan

• Each person should have contact information (home, office, cell phone numbers of a designated friend or relative's phone numbers; other critical phone numbers). Be aware of school preparedness plans and contact personnel.

• Specifics for meeting if family members are separated.

• Arrangements for family members who may need special care.

• Emergency supplies at home:
  • Supplies of water and canned food to last at least three days, packed in portable containers and stored in a safe place
  • Flashlight, batteries, first-aid kit, blankets, sanitation suppli es, personal items
  • Money and cell phone

• Emergency supplies in backpacks. Some parents will want their children to keep water and non-perishable snacks in their backpacks

• Review and practice plan with members of the family.

Websites of Interest

www.ready.gov

www.NCTSNet.org

www.fema.gov/kids

www.mentalhealth.org

About the NYU Child Study Center

The New York University Child Study Center is dedicated to increasing the awareness of child and adolescent psychiatric disorders and improving the research necessary to advance the prevention, identification, and treatment of these disorders on a national scale. The Center offers expert psychiatric services for children, adolescents, young adults, and families with emphasis on early diagnosis and intervention. The Center's mission is to bridge the gap between science and practice, integrating the finest research with patient care and state-of-the-art training utilizing the resources of the New York University School of Medicine. The Child Study Center was founded in 1997 and established as the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry within the NYU School of Medicine in 2006. For more information, please call us at (212) 263-6622 or visit us at www.aboutourkids.org.