MOM TALK: Have You Had The Talk?

In light of recent events, I started thinking about how prepared my son and I are for a natural disaster.

We keep plenty of canned goods and extra water in the house. We have a stash of batteries and flashlights handy. Our first aid kit is well stocked. For the most part, we have the supplies pretty well covered.

But as I began to work my way through the Emergency Preparedness Checklist from the American Red Cross, I realized there is a great deal more to know about what to do in the event of an earthquake than just having enough of the right stuff.

How to prepare our children for a natural disaster can seem like a daunting task. However, consider the following when you discuss earthquake preparedness with your kids:

• Approach the conversation just as you would anything else that your child needs to take seriously, such as fire safety or stranger safety. Avoid frightening your child by using overly dramatic or foreboding tone or language. Answer their questions honestly and concisely.
• Walk through your home and discuss what you would do if an earthquake happened when you were in different parts of your house.
• Make a game out of finding the hazards and the safe zones when you are out and about with your child. For instance, pose the question, “If we were here in the back of the bookstore and the floor started shaking, what would be the safest thing we could do?”
• If there are other homes that your child spends substantial amounts of time in, ask them if they know the best way to stay safe there. Discuss how you would handle being separated in such an event and determine what lines of communication you would use to reconnect.
• Consider taking an earthquake preparedness class with your older child. It can be an empowering experience for them to feel like they could help keep themselves and their family safe in an emergency.

Be sure to about their earthquake procedures. Your child’s teacher can tell you what they are covering about earthquakes in the classroom and can give you a jumping off place to continue the dialogue.

The following online resources can help you in establishing and maintaining your own earthquake safety plan for you and your loved ones:

• siliconvalley-redcross.org
• fema.gov/kids/
• earthquake.usgs.gov/prepare/

Disaster preparedness is a fluid process that can evolve and change over time. Once you get prepared, remember to stay that way by revisiting and modifying your plans when necessary. You can rest easier knowing your prepared kids will grow into prepared adults.