Health & Safety
Support Network
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PREPARATION
“Be prepared for the unexpected” is a common phrase used by individuals who work with children. Since September 11, 2001, Hurricane Katrina, and our own state’s natural disasters with tornado and flooding, we are even more sensitive to the importance of this phrase.
The following resources will help you develop procedures for caring for the children in your care in the event of an emergency.
THREE THINGS TO REMEMBER IN AN EMERGENCY
- Keep Calm
- Provide reassurance, physical comfort and structure
- Follow your Emergency Plan
- Act Quickly
STEPS IN PREPARING FOR AN EMERGENCY
- Train staff in pediatric first aid
- Maintain a stocked first aid kit
- Keep emergency phone numbers handy
- Have important forms available
- Plan two exit routes from every area of a building/room
- Conduct unannounced drills
- Maintain logs of drills
- Inform/show staff and children the evacuation location
- Develop a communication process for parents
ADDITIONAL TOOLS AND RESOURCES
AAP Children and Disasters Web site
Keeping Kids Safe: Your Home Child Care Emergency Plan
Red Cross: Masters of Disasters Preparedness Curriculum for Children