Emergency Preparedness: Natural & Human Disasters

When a natural disaster occur young children, the elderly and the homeless are at risk of hypothermia, starvation and other health risks. Hurricanes and snowstorms can cause such devastation that it could leave people without food and shelter.

A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone. Hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage to coastlines and several miles inland. Hurricane force winds can easily destroy poorly constructed buildings and mobile homes. Debris such as signs, roofing materials and small items left outside become flying missiles. Flooding from hurricanes can occur hundreds of miles from coast placing communities which would normally be affected by the strongest hurricane winds, in great danger.

When working in a child care facility, being prepared for a hurricane is essential because knowing how to be prepared can keep all children safe and warm, not being prepared can put all the children at risk for injury. The following steps should be done to prepare for a hurricane:

Have your facility evaluated for its ability to withstand high winds, identify the best internal protective area within the facility, know a safe evacuation route to official shelters, keep all children away from windows, sit on the floor next to an inside wall, and be sure to have your first aid kit, and emergency phone numbers for the parents and caretakers for all of the children readily available.

When teachers know that a hurricane is going to be coming, they need to notify parents and caretakers to come and pick up their children prior to the hurricane hitting, to ensure that all children get home safely. While waiting for the parents to arrive the teachers need to try and keep children as calm and safe as possible until their parents arrive.

Snowstorms can cause heavy snowfall and extreme cold temperatures and can immobilize an entire region. Snow storms can result in flooding, can cause a storm surge, close highways and roadways, and down power lines, and for the homeless can cause hypothermia.

When working in a child care facility, being prepared for a snowstorm is essential because knowing how to be prepared can keep all children safe and warm, not being prepared can put all the children at risk for injury. The following steps should be done to prepare for a snowstorm.

Establish procedures for securing the facility against damage to utilities, frozen pipes, etc., prepare facility vehicles for emergency travel on snow and ice, and check emergency and alternate utility sources in case you have loss of power, thus no heat or electricity. Keep children safe, calm and as warm as possible until their parents or caretakers arrive. Prepare to extend operations in case after parents have been notified to pick up their children and parents can’t because travel is difficult.

When you are a professional working in a facility with children, letting parents know your evacuation procedures and how you prepare for a natural disaster puts parents at ease about the welfare of their children.