The main concern for infants and toddlers is
to make their environment safe and secure. Conduct a hazard hunt
in your child's room, and remove all potential hazards that can
cause injury. Cribs should be placed away from windows and tall,
unsecured bookcases and shelves that could slide or topple.
| Be sure to have a minimum 72 hour
supply of: |
- Water
- Formula
- Bottles
- Food
- Juices
- Baby wipes
- Disposable diapers
- Prescribed medications
- Clothes
|
|
Keep an extra diaper bag with the above items
in your car. · Store strollers, wagons, blankets and cribs with
appropriate wheels to evacuate infants, if necessary. · Install
bumper pads in cribs or bassinets to protect babies during the
shaking. · Install latches on all cupboards (not just those young
children can reach) so that nothing can fall on your baby during
a quake.
Preschool and School-age Children
By the age of three, children can understand
what an earthquake is and how to get ready for one. Explain what
causes earthquakes in terms they will understand. Have your children
be included in family plans and discussions for earthquake safety.
Practice safety procedures with your children so they are prepared
to take action on their own.
- Show children the safest places to be in each
room when an earthquake hits. Also show them all possible exits
from each room.
- Use sturdy shoes tables to teach children
to Duck, Cover, & Hold.
- Teach children what to do wherever they are
during an earthquake (at school, in a tall building, at the
movies, in a store, outdoors).
- Make sure children's emergency cards at school
are up-to-date.
- Although children should not turn off any
utility valves, it is important that they know what gas smells
like. Advise children to tell an adult if they smell gas after
an earthquake.
- Help your children assemble their own emergency
kits.
|
Ideas on
what to include in children's emergency kits:
- A special toy
- Family photograph
- A note from parents
|
 |
Accustom children to living without electricity.
Go through an entire evening without using electricity. After
an earthquake, monitor family members behavioral changes such
as :
- Withdrawal from family and friends
- Over eating/loss of appetite
- Disobedience
- Antisocial behavior
- Headaches
- Nightmares
Parents and teachers can respond to the above
problems by encouraging additional attention and physical comfort
and by providing structured but undemanding responsibilities.
For more information please contact Donna Nuzzi,
Emergency Services Supervisor, at (661) 286-4093 or via email
at dnuzzi@santa-clarita.com
