DISASTER SAFETY FOR KIDS

🧭 DISASTER SAFETY FOR KIDS 🧭

What to Do When Grown-Ups Are Freaking Out

FIRST: WHAT IS A DISASTER?

A disaster is when normal stuff stops working.

That can mean:

  • The lights go out
  • The water stops
  • A big storm happens
  • We have to leave the house fast
  • Phones stop working
  • School closes suddenly

A disaster does not mean the world is ending.
It means things are weird for a little while.

Your job is to:
Stay safe. Stay calm. Stay with trusted adults.

RULE #1: STAY WITH YOUR SAFE PEOPLE

Your safe people are:

  • Parents
  • Guardians
  • Teachers
  • Babysitters
  • Other adults your family trusts

Do not wander. Do not hide. Do not go exploring.

If you get separated:

  • Stay where you are
  • Tell a grown-up who you are and who you’re with
  • Don’t go with strangers, even if they say they know your parents

RULE #2: LISTEN FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS SECOND

During a disaster:

  • Grown-ups may talk fast
  • They may look scared
  • They may give short instructions

That’s normal.

Do what they say first.
Ask questions after things are safe.

IF YOU ARE AT HOME

And the lights go out:
  • Stay where you are
  • Don’t run
  • Use flashlights if allowed
  • Don’t touch candles or matches
And there is a storm:
  • Stay inside
  • Stay away from windows
  • Go to the safest room if told
AND you hear alarms:
  • Stop what you’re doing
  • Listen for instructions
  • Move calmly

Do not grab toys.
Grab shoes if told. Shoes protect your feet.

IF YOU ARE AT SCHOOL

  • Stay with your class
  • Listen to teachers
  • Don’t run unless told
  • Don’t leave the building on your own

Teachers practice this stuff for a reason.
Let them do their job.

IF YOU ARE IN A CAR

  • Stay buckled unless told otherwise
  • Don’t open doors
  • Don’t get out of the car alone
  • Stay quiet so adults can hear important things

If the car stops:

  • Stay inside unless there’s danger (like fire or water)
  • Use blankets or jackets if cold
  • Save phone batteries

IF YOU HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR HOUSE FAST

This is called evacuating.

If told to leave:

  • Put on shoes
  • Grab a jacket if nearby
  • Take your emergency bag if you have one
  • Stay close to your safe people

You can leave toys behind.
People matter more than stuff.

YOUR EMERGENCY JOBS (YES, YOU HAVE JOBS)

Kids help best when they have simple tasks.

Your jobs might be:

  • Hold a flashlight
  • Carry your backpack
  • Help a younger kid
  • Stay quiet when asked
  • Count pets
  • Remind adults where your emergency bag is

Helping keeps you calm. Calm helps everyone.

IF YOU FEEL SCARED

That’s normal.

Do this:

  1. Take a slow breath in
  2. Blow it out slowly
  3. Hold someone’s hand
  4. Focus on one thing you can see or hear

Being scared doesn’t mean you’re in danger.
It means your brain is trying to protect you.

IMPORTANT THINGS NOT TO DO

Do NOT:

  • Run away
  • Hide without telling anyone
  • Touch broken wires
  • Touch flood water
  • Go near fire
  • Spread rumors
  • Panic scream unless you’re hurt

Yelling makes it harder for adults to help.

IF YOU GET LOST

If you can’t find your safe people:

  • Stop moving
  • Find a grown-up in uniform (teacher, police, firefighter)
  • Say your name
  • Say who you’re with
  • Stay put

Do not wander looking for them.

FOOD, WATER, AND WAITING

During disasters:

  • Food may be simple
  • Water may be limited
  • Waiting may be boring

That’s okay.

Eat when told.
Drink when told.
Rest when you can.

Disasters don’t last forever.

HERBIE HERO RULE

“Slow down. Stay close. Listen up.“

You don’t need to be brave.
You don’t need to be tough.
You just need to be smart and safe.

LAST THING TO REMEMBER

Disasters are loud, confusing, and scary.

But they are temporary.

Grown-ups are working on it.
Helpers are coming.
Things will get better.

Your job is to:
Stay safe until they do.