How to Prepare for Caring for Children During Disasters

When disaster strikes, children are among the most vulnerable members of our community. Their physical, emotional, and psychological needs differ significantly from adults, requiring specialized preparation and care during emergencies. Whether facing natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires or man-made emergencies, having a comprehensive plan for protecting and supporting children can make the difference between trauma and resilience.

According to FEMA, more than 60% of American families lack an adequate emergency plan that addresses the specific needs of children. This preparedness gap puts millions of young ones at unnecessary risk when disasters occur. At Batten Emergency, we believe that protecting our children during crises isn’t just about basic survival—it’s about creating systems that support their unique physical, emotional, and developmental needs through challenging circumstances.

Understanding Children’s Unique Needs During Disasters

Children process and respond to disasters differently than adults. Their developing bodies and minds create distinct vulnerabilities that require special consideration in emergency planning. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children have specific physiological differences that affect their disaster response, including faster breathing rates, thinner skin, different body temperature regulation, and greater risk of dehydration.

Beyond physical differences, children’s emotional and psychological responses to disasters vary by developmental stage. Preschoolers might regress to behaviors like thumb-sucking or bedwetting, while school-age children may become withdrawn or aggressive. Teenagers might engage in risk-taking behaviors or develop depression.

Our emergency preparedness experts emphasize that understanding these age-specific reactions is crucial for providing appropriate support. Children of all ages look to adults for security and stability during crises, making your calm presence and preparedness essential to their wellbeing.

Developmental Considerations by Age Group:

Infants and Toddlers (0-2 years): Completely dependent on caregivers; may show distress through increased crying, changes in eating/sleeping patterns, and heightened separation anxiety
Preschoolers (3-5 years): May regress developmentally, exhibit confusion about the disaster, and express fears through play or stories
School-Age Children (6-12 years): May show anxiety, fear, withdrawal, anger, or focus intensely on disaster details; might have trouble concentrating
Adolescents (13-18 years): May exhibit risk-taking behaviors, rebellion, or withdrawal; might deny feelings while experiencing strong emotions

Creating a Family Emergency Plan with Children in Mind

A comprehensive family emergency plan that accounts for children’s needs forms the foundation of disaster preparedness. According to Save the Children, only 42% of parents know the evacuation plan at their child’s school or childcare facility—a critical gap in emergency coordination. Your family plan should seamlessly integrate with these institutional plans to ensure continuity of care.

In our experience working with families on emergency preparedness, the most effective plans are those that involve children in age-appropriate ways during the planning process. This not only improves the plan’s effectiveness but also helps reduce children’s anxiety by giving them a sense of control and understanding.

Essential Components of a Child-Inclusive Emergency Plan:

Meeting Places: Designate primary and secondary family meeting locations, both near your home and outside your neighborhood
Emergency Contacts: Create contact cards for each child with local and out-of-area emergency contacts; teach children how and when to use them
School/Childcare Coordination: Know your children’s school/daycare emergency procedures and ensure your plans align
Reunion Procedures: Establish clear protocols for who can pick up children if parents are unavailable (include this information in school emergency forms)
Roles and Responsibilities: Assign age-appropriate tasks to each family member during different emergency scenarios
Practice Drills: Regularly practice evacuation routes, shelter-in-place procedures, and communication protocols

Our team always recommends creating visual aids for younger children, such as simple maps with pictures showing evacuation routes and meeting places. For older children, consider creating a simple reference card they can keep in their backpack with essential information and instructions.

Building a Child-Specific Emergency Kit

While standard emergency kits contain essentials for survival, children require additional specialized items to meet their unique needs. The American Red Cross recommends that families prepare supplies for at least 72 hours of self-sufficiency, with additional considerations for children’s specific requirements. Research from the CDC indicates that inadequate emergency supplies for children can lead to preventable health complications during disasters.

Based on our field testing and expert consultations, we’ve developed a comprehensive checklist for child-specific emergency supplies that goes beyond the basics. These items should complement your family’s general emergency kit and be stored in accessible locations.

Child-Specific Emergency Kit Essentials:

Nutrition and Feeding: Formula and bottles (if needed), age-appropriate non-perishable foods, pediatric electrolyte solutions, children’s vitamins, special dietary items, bottle brush, feeding utensils
Hygiene and Sanitation: Diapers and wipes (3-day supply minimum), diaper rash cream, potty training supplies, hand sanitizer, child-sized masks, baby wash/shampoo
Clothing and Protection: Complete change of weather-appropriate clothing (multiple sets), blankets, hat, sturdy shoes, sunscreen (pediatric formulation)
Comfort and Mental Health: Favorite stuffed animal or comfort item, family photos, small games, books, crayons and paper, headphones
Medical and Special Needs: Children’s medications with dosing information, pediatric first aid supplies, copies of prescriptions and medical records, comfort medications (children’s pain reliever, anti-nausea medication)
Identification and Documentation: Recent photos, birth certificates, medical/vaccination records, detailed care instructions (especially for children with special needs)

What our specialists emphasize is the importance of regularly updating these kits as your children grow. Set calendar reminders every six months to check expiration dates, replace outgrown clothing, and adjust supplies to match developmental stages. For families with infants, this review should happen even more frequently, as needs change rapidly during the first year.

Sheltering in Place with Children

When evacuation isn’t possible or advisable, sheltering in place with children requires specific preparations to ensure their safety and comfort. According to FEMA’s Ready.gov, sheltering in place may be necessary during various emergencies including severe weather events, hazardous material incidents, or civil disturbances. The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that children’s higher respiratory rates make them particularly vulnerable to airborne hazards, emphasizing the importance of proper shelter preparation.

Creating a child-friendly shelter-in-place location within your home requires thoughtful planning and preparation. This designated area should be easily accessible, secure from external threats, and stocked with necessary supplies.

Creating a Child-Friendly Shelter-in-Place Location:

Location Selection: Choose an interior room with few or no windows; basements are ideal for tornadoes but may not work for flooding
Safety Modifications: Secure heavy furniture, remove hazards, cover windows if needed, ensure adequate ventilation
Communication Tools: Battery-powered radio, charged communication devices, written emergency contact information
Comfort Considerations: Sleeping arrangements, comfort items, activities to reduce stress and boredom
Sanitation Planning: Portable toilet or designated bathroom plan, hygiene supplies, trash containment
Special Needs Accommodations: Medical equipment with backup power, sensory items for children with processing sensitivities

In our experience working with families on shelter-in-place preparations, we’ve found that creating a “shelter box” with entertainment items used only during emergencies can help make the experience less frightening for children. Include special games, books, art supplies, and comfort items that create a sense of positive anticipation rather than fear.

Evacuation Planning with Children

Evacuating with children presents unique challenges that require additional planning and preparation. According to the National Center for Disaster Preparedness, families with children typically take 1.5 times longer to evacuate than households without children. This delay can be critical in rapidly developing emergencies like wildfires or flash floods.

Effective evacuation planning must account for the logistics of moving children safely while managing their emotional needs during a stressful situation. Our emergency preparedness experts recommend creating detailed evacuation checklists customized to your family’s specific needs and practicing your evacuation plan regularly.

Child-Focused Evacuation Planning Essentials:

Transportation Readiness: Car seats properly installed, stroller or carrier accessible, evacuation bag for each child
Route Planning: Primary and alternate evacuation routes, identification of child-friendly stopping points, awareness of emergency shelter locations that accommodate families
Family Separation Protocol: Plan for reunification if separated, identification for children (ID bracelets or cards), emergency contacts programmed in devices
Special Needs Considerations: Mobility equipment, medication cooling needs, sensory support items, detailed care instructions
Emotional Support Strategy: Age-appropriate explanation of the situation, comfort items readily accessible, regular reassurance and updates
Documentation: Copies of birth certificates, medical records, insurance information, custody documents if applicable

What our team has seen work well is creating a visual “evacuation map” with younger children, making the process more like an adventure than a frightening event. For older children, assigning specific responsibilities during evacuation (like being in charge of the family pet or helping younger siblings) can provide a sense of purpose and control.

Supporting Children’s Emotional Needs During Disasters

Disasters can have profound psychological impacts on children, with potential long-term consequences for their mental health and development. Research from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network shows that up to 25% of children exposed to a disaster may develop significant psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress. However, studies also demonstrate that strong caregiver support and early intervention can significantly reduce these impacts.

Understanding how to recognize signs of distress and provide appropriate emotional support is a critical aspect of disaster preparedness for families. Children often lack the vocabulary or emotional awareness to express their feelings directly, making it essential for caregivers to watch for behavioral indicators of distress.

Recognizing Signs of Emotional Distress in Children:

Physical Symptoms: Headaches, stomachaches, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, regression in toileting
Behavioral Changes: Increased clinginess, withdrawal, aggression, irritability, decreased interest in activities
Emotional Indicators: Excessive fears, anxiety about separation, worry about safety, sadness, anger outbursts
Cognitive Signs: Difficulty concentrating, preoccupation with the disaster, decline in school performance
Play Themes: Repetitive play that reenacts aspects of the disaster, drawings that focus on frightening elements

Strategies for Supporting Children’s Emotional Wellbeing:

Maintain Routines: Establish predictable schedules even in temporary settings; consistent mealtimes, sleep schedules, and activities provide security
Age-Appropriate Communication: Provide honest, simple explanations without overwhelming details; correct misconceptions
Validate Feelings: Acknowledge that their feelings are normal and important; avoid dismissing fears
Limit Media Exposure: Shield children from excessive disaster coverage and graphic images
Encourage Expression: Provide opportunities for children to express feelings through art, play, writing, or conversation
Model Healthy Coping: Demonstrate calm behavior and positive coping strategies while honestly acknowledging challenges
Emphasize Safety: Regularly reassure children about the steps being taken to keep them safe

Based on our field experience, we’ve observed that one of the most effective approaches is creating a “feelings check-in” routine during disasters. This might be as simple as using a feelings chart with younger children or having regular one-on-one conversations with teens. These check-ins provide opportunities to address concerns before they escalate and reinforce that emotional expression is welcomed and supported.

Special Considerations for Children with Disabilities or Medical Needs

Children with disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or special needs face additional challenges during disasters that require specialized planning and preparation. According to research from the National Council on Disability, children with disabilities are disproportionately affected by disasters, with disruptions to care routines, medication access, and specialized services potentially creating life-threatening situations.

Comprehensive emergency planning for children with special needs must address not only immediate health and safety requirements but also continuity of care and accommodations for specific disabilities. This requires coordination with healthcare providers, detailed documentation, and specialized emergency supplies.

Essential Preparedness Elements for Children with Special Needs:

Detailed Care Plan: Written documentation of medical conditions, medications, allergies, and specific care procedures
Medical Supply Cache: Extended supply of medications, specialized equipment with backup power options, extra assistive devices
Provider Coordination: Communication plan with healthcare providers, contact information for specialists, copies of prescriptions and medical records
Equipment Considerations: Charging solutions for powered medical devices, manual backups when possible, maintenance supplies
Evacuation Specifics: Accessible transportation arrangements, specialized evacuation devices if needed, identification of accessible shelters
Sensory Support: Items to manage sensory sensitivities in chaotic environments (noise-canceling headphones, familiar textures, visual schedules)
Communication Tools: Augmentative communication devices with backup options, visual supports, communication cards

Our specialists emphasize the importance of creating an emergency information card or digital file for children with special needs that can be quickly shared with emergency responders or temporary caregivers. This should include:

Child’s name, photo, and identifying information
Medical diagnoses and allergies
Current medications with dosing information
Communication methods and preferences
Specific triggers or calming techniques
Emergency contacts including medical providers
Insurance information

What our experts have seen work well is creating a “go-book” that contains all this information plus step-by-step instructions for specific care procedures, equipment operation, and behavior management strategies. This resource becomes invaluable if your child needs to be cared for by someone unfamiliar with their specific needs during an emergency.

Childcare and School Emergency Coordination

Children spend a significant portion of their time in schools and childcare facilities, making coordination between family emergency plans and institutional emergency procedures essential. According to the CDC, approximately 69 million children spend time in schools and childcare facilities daily in the United States. Understanding and integrating with these institutional plans is a critical component of comprehensive disaster preparedness for families.

Effective coordination requires proactive communication with schools and childcare providers, familiarity with their emergency protocols, and ensuring that your family plans align with institutional procedures. This alignment helps prevent confusion and ensures children receive consistent support during emergencies.

Key Areas for School and Childcare Emergency Coordination:

Emergency Response Procedures: Understand the facility’s plans for various scenarios (evacuation, lockdown, shelter-in-place)
Reunification Protocols: Know the process for picking up children during or after an emergency, including alternate pickup locations
Authorized Pickup Persons: Ensure emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons are current in school records
Communication Methods: Register for school emergency notification systems; know how the facility will communicate during emergencies
Medication and Special Needs: Provide emergency medications and detailed care plans to the school; ensure staff is trained appropriately
Extended Care Planning: Prepare for scenarios where children might need to shelter at school for extended periods

In our experience working with families on emergency planning, we’ve found that many parents are unaware of important details in their children’s school emergency plans. Our team always recommends scheduling a meeting with school administrators or childcare directors specifically to discuss emergency procedures and how they align with your family plans.

Key questions to ask schools and childcare providers include:

How and when will parents be notified of emergencies?
What are the specific evacuation locations and reunification procedures?
How are children’s emotional needs supported during emergencies?
What emergency supplies does the facility maintain for extended sheltering?
How are children with special needs accommodated in emergency plans?
What happens if parents cannot reach the school during an emergency?

Preparing Children Through Education and Practice

Educating children about disasters and emergency procedures in age-appropriate ways is essential for building resilience and ensuring they can respond effectively during crises. Research from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) indicates that children who receive disaster education and participate in regular drills show significantly improved response capabilities and reduced anxiety when facing actual emergencies.

Effective disaster education balances honesty about potential dangers with reassurance about safety measures, avoiding approaches that might create unnecessary fear or anxiety. The goal is to empower children with knowledge and skills while maintaining their sense of security.

Age-Appropriate Disaster Education Approaches:

Preschoolers (3-5 years): Simple explanations focused on safety helpers, basic safety rules, and family togetherness during emergencies; use of stories, songs, and games to reinforce concepts
Elementary Age (6-10 years): More detailed information about different types of disasters relevant to your area; concrete action steps children can take; introduction to warning signs and alert systems
Preteens (11-13 years): Understanding of the science behind disasters; more complex emergency protocols; introduction to first aid concepts; discussion of community response systems
Teenagers (14-18 years): Comprehensive understanding of disaster risks and response; meaningful roles in family emergency planning; advanced preparedness skills; potential involvement in community response

Effective Practice Strategies:

Regular Family Drills: Practice evacuation routes, shelter-in-place procedures, and communication protocols at least twice yearly
Skill-Building Activities: Age-appropriate emergency skills practice (calling 911, basic first aid, using emergency equipment)
Scenario Discussions: “What if” conversations about different emergency situations and appropriate responses
Gradual Exposure: Incremental introduction to emergency procedures, building complexity as children demonstrate readiness
Positive Reinforcement: Celebration of successful drills and learned skills; focus on competence and teamwork

Our emergency preparedness experts recommend making disaster education and practice a regular but low-pressure part of family life. For younger children, framing emergency drills as “safety games” can reduce anxiety while still building essential skills. For older children, connecting preparedness to values like responsibility and community service can increase engagement and commitment.

Based on our field testing, we’ve found that one effective approach is the “disaster of the month” model, where families focus on a different type of emergency each month, learning about it, updating relevant supplies, and practicing specific response skills. This approach builds comprehensive preparedness without overwhelming children with too much information at once.

Community Resources and Support Networks

Building connections with community resources and establishing support networks significantly enhances a family’s ability to care for children during disasters. Research from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine shows that communities with strong social connections and established support systems recover more quickly from disasters and experience less severe impacts, particularly for vulnerable populations like children.

Identifying and connecting with relevant resources before disasters occur ensures families know where to turn for assistance with children’s needs during emergencies. These connections can provide critical support for everything from immediate safety needs to longer-term recovery services.

Key Community Resources for Disaster Support:

Emergency Services: Local police, fire, and EMS; community emergency response teams (CERT); local emergency management offices
Child-Specific Services: Pediatric healthcare providers, children’s mental health services, child welfare agencies, special needs resource centers
Support Organizations: American Red Cross, Salvation Army, religious organizations, community centers, local mutual aid networks
Educational Resources: School counseling services, after-school programs, childcare resource centers
Government Assistance: FEMA disaster assistance, state emergency management agencies, public health departments

Building Personal Support Networks:

Neighborhood Connections: Establish relationships with neighbors who can assist during emergencies, especially those with similar-aged children
Childcare Exchanges: Develop reciprocal childcare arrangements with trusted friends or family members in different geographic areas
Skill Sharing: Connect with community members who have specialized skills (medical training, construction, counseling) that might benefit children during disasters
Communication Circles: Create phone trees or communication groups specifically for sharing information about children’s needs during emergencies
Special Needs Networks: Connect with other families who have children with similar special needs to share resources and support

What our specialists emphasize is the importance of formalizing these support relationships before disasters occur. This includes discussing specific expectations, exchanging necessary information (like children’s medical needs or comfort preferences), and establishing clear communication protocols.

In our experience working with communities on disaster preparedness, we’ve found that neighborhood-based support networks are particularly effective for families with children. Consider organizing a block meeting specifically focused on supporting neighborhood children during emergencies, addressing issues like:

Which homes could serve as temporary safe locations for children
Which neighbors have specialized skills relevant to children’s needs
How to account for all neighborhood children during an emergency
Shared resources that could benefit children (generators, water filtration, etc.)
Communication systems to share information about children’s needs

Recovery and Long-Term Support for Children

The impact of disasters on children doesn’t end when the immediate emergency passes. Research from the National Child Traumatic Stress Network indicates that children may experience effects from disaster exposure for months or even years afterward. Effective disaster preparedness must include planning for the recovery phase and providing long-term support for children’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs.

The recovery period presents unique challenges as families attempt to reestablish routines and stability while potentially dealing with displacement, resource limitations, or community disruption. Planning for this phase helps ensure children receive consistent support throughout the entire disaster cycle.

Key Elements of Child-Focused Recovery Planning:

Continuity of Education: Plans for school transitions, temporary educational arrangements, or homeschooling if needed; educational materials and resources
Mental Health Support: Identification of available counseling resources; awareness of signs that professional intervention may be needed; self-help resources for families
Routine Reestablishment: Strategies for recreating familiar routines even in temporary settings; preservation of important family traditions and activities
Documentation Recovery: Backup systems for important records (birth certificates, immunization records, educational documents) that may be needed for services
Long-term Medical Care: Plans for maintaining healthcare access during displacement or disruption; medication management strategies

Our experts have observed that children often process disaster experiences gradually, with questions, concerns, or behavioral responses emerging weeks or months after the event. Preparing for this delayed processing by maintaining open communication channels and monitoring for signs of distress over time is essential for effective recovery support.

Supporting Children’s Resilience During Recovery:

Promote Agency: Involve children in age-appropriate recovery activities and decisions to restore their sense of control
Highlight Helpers: Draw attention to community helpers and positive recovery efforts to build optimism
Create Meaning: Help children find ways to contribute to community recovery or help others affected by the disaster
Maintain Connections: Prioritize maintaining children’s important relationships with friends, extended family, and community members
Balance Forward-Looking and Processing: Allow space for children to process what happened while also focusing on rebuilding and future plans

Based on our field experience, we’ve found that creating a “recovery journal” can be helpful for children processing disaster experiences. This can include writing, drawing, photos, or mementos that document both the challenging aspects of the disaster and the positive steps toward recovery. This activity helps children integrate the experience into their life narrative in a healthy way.

Conclusion: Building Children’s Disaster Resilience

Preparing to care for children during disasters is one of the most important responsibilities families and communities face. Effective preparation goes beyond basic survival needs to address the complex physical, emotional, and developmental requirements that make children uniquely vulnerable during emergencies. By taking a comprehensive approach to child-focused disaster planning, we can not only protect children from harm but also help them develop resilience that will serve them throughout their lives.

The strategies outlined in this guide—from creating child-specific emergency kits to building support networks and planning for long-term recovery—form an integrated approach to children’s disaster preparedness. While the specific preparations may vary based on your children’s ages, needs, and your local hazards, the fundamental principle remains the same: children deserve and require specialized consideration in all aspects of emergency planning.

At Batten Emergency, we believe that effective disaster preparedness for children is not a one-time effort but an ongoing process that evolves as children grow and circumstances change. By making preparedness a regular part of family life, involving children appropriately in the process, and connecting with community resources, you build not only safety but also confidence and resilience that benefit children far beyond emergency situations.

Remember that the goal isn’t perfect preparation—it’s creating layers of protection and support that can adapt to the unpredictable nature of disasters. Start with the most critical elements for your family situation, build incrementally, and review regularly. Each step you take significantly increases your children’s safety and wellbeing when disasters occur.

For additional resources on family emergency preparedness, including specialized guidance for different types of disasters, visit our family disaster planning guide and emergency kit resources.

Sources used for this article:

Ready.gov Children and Disasters, https://www.ready.gov/kids
American Academy of Pediatrics – Disaster Preparedness, https://www.aap.org/en-us/advocacy-and-policy/aap-health-initiatives/Children-and-Disasters
National Child Traumatic Stress Network – Disaster Resources, https://www.nctsn.org/what-is-child-trauma/trauma-types/disasters
Save the Children – Disaster Preparedness for Children, https://www.savethechildren.org/us/what-we-do/us-programs/disaster-relief-in-america/family-emergency-preparedness-plan
CDC Emergency Preparedness for Families, https://www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/index.html