EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the third and final in a series of stories on being prepared for natural disasters.

Part 1 – Preparedness is key in surviving disasters

Part 2 – Extra preparation required in emergency planning for elderly and those with special needs

When it comes to experiencing a natural disaster, children can be the most vulnerable of victims.

FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) advises that for children to be prepared and build resiliency it is critical to prepare them and provide them with safety guidelines before disasters strike.

Prior to a disaster, children should be taught warning signals such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire alarms and also the community horns and sirens and what it means if they hear them.

They should know how and when to dial 9-1-1. Parents can practice with their children on how to call dial 9-1-1 and what to say to a dispatcher on a disconnected house phone or a mobile that is powered off with the battery removed.

Children should memorize their family name, address and phone number.

Peggy Clark, director of the Columbiana County EMA (Emergency Management Agency), said school age children should know how to get in touch with their parents during the event that a disaster happens during the school day or at a time they are away from the family. They should know a designated meeting space to meet up with the rest of the family in the event their home needs to be evacuated.

Clark also suggests they have contact information for a family member or friend outside the community they can reach out to.

Arrangements should be made for a family member, friend or neighbor to pick up children who may be home by themselves when disaster strikes, if parents are not able to get to them. Children should know who will be coming to help them.

FEMA suggests allowing children to assist in packing an emergency kit and allowing them to pack items for them in it such as a stuffed animal, books, games or security blanket as a way to help them prepare.

To help get a child through a disaster, FEMA advises adults to offer words of reassurance to the child while remaining calm, controlling their own emotions and giving them a realistic picture of the situation while encouraging them to talk about their concerns.

Keeping the family together as much as possible will help children get through the event easier so they are not worrying about a family member not returning.

Children are not the only ones left vulnerable in the event of a disaster.

For many families, pets are considered family members who will need to be planned for if they are to survive if a disaster strikes.

Clark noted that pet owners need to plan ahead of time for such a situation by figuring out where they are going to go or what they are going to do with their pets, if they can’t shelter with them.

“I’m certainly not going to be able to show up at a Red Cross shelter if I need a place for my pet to go,” Clark said. “They are not going to take my pet at a Red Cross shelter so I need to have a plan if I can’t stay in my home because it’s been damaged by a tornado.”

Call the local animal shelter, FEMA office, or veterinarian to find out about emergency pet shelters.

Keep pet vaccinations up to date as shelters will not take pets without proof of vaccinations. Some hotels may wave the no pet policy in case of emergency.

Pets should be taken with the family in case of an evacuation or a backup plan should be put in place in case owners aren’t able to care for the pets themselves. Plan with neighbors, friends or family members for someone to care for or evacuate the pets if the owner is unable to do so.

In planning for a natural disaster, owners need to prepare a pet emergency kit in addition to a household emergency kit.

According to FEMA, a pet emergency kit should contain the following: three days of food in an airtight, waterproof container; three days of water specifically for pets in addition to the water needed for the household; an extra supply of any medications the pet takes on a regular basis in a waterproof container along with pet’s medical records; a first aid kit with first aid supplies, flea and tick prevention, saline solution and a pet first-aid reference book; a backup collar with ID tag, harness or leash; pet’s registration papers and vaccination records in waterproof container, crate or pet carrier; and pet litter, litter box, newspaper, paper towels, plastic bags and household chlorine bleach for pet sanitation needs.

Like children, pets can get stressed, upset or confused in an abnormal situation. Packing familiar items in the kit such as favorite toys, treats or bedding can help reduce that stress.

The kit should also include a recent photo of the owner and pet together in case of separation during an emergency. The photo will help document ownership of a pet and assist in locating or identifying a pet. Notate on the back of photo the age, sex, breed, color and distinguishing characteristics of the pet.

Make sure pets are always wearing a collar with owner’s name and phone number or are microchipped and registered.

FEMA advises that if pets must be left behind, make sure they are brought indoors to keep them from running away and that they have plenty of food and water.

Never leave pets outside during a disaster.

For additional information on being prepared check out https://www.ready.gov/september.

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