5 Things to Teach Your Kid About Emergencies

Emergencies can happen to anyone and anywhere, including our children. As much as we want to be there to protect our child, we may not always be able too. So here are 5 things you can teach your child so that they know how to handle an emergency without your help:

Educate:

Your child needs to know all the possible emergencies that could happen whether that is natural disasters or dealing with strangers. The more they know, they more they will be able to handle an emergency situation. With each emergency they need to know what can be expected, as well as to expect the unexpected, what to do when it happens and how to keep safe. Create emergency plans and practice!

Seek help:

Teach your children who to contact during an emergency. They need to know how to dial 9-1-1 as well as notify an adult or parent for help. Keep a list of important phone numbers at every phone within in your home, always place 9-1-1 at the top of the list.

Stay calm:

It is important that your child knows how to remain calm and keep a clear head during an emergency. Teach them methods to calm down: Stop, listen, take a deep breath and act fast. Practice these methods; it could help prevent them from further danger.

Take notes and report:

There may come a time that your child may face an emergency situation that requires working with authorities. An example is if they are approached by a stranger, your child’s help you could save another child’s life. They need to be able to mentally take notes and be able to report it back. For example, what color shirt, did they have an accent, what color was the car, etc.

Don’t be a hero:

When it comes to emergency situations, children need to know that they don’t have to be hero. Now with that said, it doesn’t mean that if they are able to safely help themselves and someone else they can’t. We don’t want our children to take themselves out of a dangerous situation and then get right back in it, an example: running back into a burning building.

The best way to handle an emergency is to be prepared and these tips can help your child if they are faced with an unfavorable situation. Remember to educate them on how to seek help, stay calm and be able to report back.

Author  Byline:

Monta the mother of three children serves as an Expert Advisor on multiple household help issues to many Organizations and groups, and is a mentor for other “Mom-preneurs” seeking guidance.  She is a regular contributor of “find nannies”. You can get in touch with her at montafleming6Atgmail dotcom.