CHICAGO - On the one-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, the
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is encouraging families,
pediatricians and communities to prepare for potential natural
and other disasters to minimize the physical and emotional
toll on children.
Children are especially vulnerable during and
after disasters. The AAP recommends that parents discuss possible
disaster plans with their children, so the children will know
what to do in hazardous situations.
Parents can create a family disaster plan by
taking these simple steps.
- Talk with your children about the dangers of disasters
that are common to in your area and how to prepare for
each type. Make sure they know where to go in your home
and school to stay safe during an earthquake, tornado,
hurricane or other disaster.
- Teach your child how to recognize danger signals. Ensure
your child knows what smoke detectors, fire alarms and
local community warning systems (horns and sirens) sound
like and what to do when they hear them.
- Explain to children how and when to call for help. Keep
emergency phone numbers where family members can find them.
- Pick an out-of-state family contact person who family
members can "check-in" with if you are separated
during an emergency. For older children, help them to memorize
the person's name and phone number, or give them a
copy of the emergency list.
- Agree on a meeting place away from your home (a neighbor
or relative's house or even a street corner) where
you would get together if you were separated in an emergency.
Give each family member an emergency list with the name,
address and phone number of the meeting place.
- Put together a disaster supplies kit for your family. http://www.aap.org/family/frk/frkit.htm
- Practice your family disaster plan every six months,
so everyone will remember what to do in an emergency.
- Include your pet in your family disaster plan. In an
emergency, shelters can't take pets, so plan what to
do in case you have to evacuate. Ask your humane society
if there is an animal shelter near you. Prepare a list
of kennels and veterinarians who could shelter your pet
in an emergency.
"It is imperative to consider both the
physical and emotional needs of children during and after a
disaster," says AAP President Eileen M. Ouellette, MD,
JD, FAAP. "The thousands of children still displaced by
Katrina, and still grieving the loss of their homes and loved
ones, need continued care and support."
Because of children's developmental limitations, they are
often unable to express their needs directly or clearly. They
rely on adults to help them identify and express their concerns,
to help them access supportive services, to model appropriate
coping behaviors, and to provide a supportive environment so
they can begin to understand and adjust to the crisis.
The AAP urges parents and caregivers to remember
that if children receive appropriate support, they may emerge
from a crisis more capable and resilient. Without such support,
children are more likely to have difficulty adjusting, and may
be at risk for long-term problems. |
