Preparing for the unexpected

Earthquakes
Fires
Hazardous Waste Accidents or other Chemical Emergencies

Severe Winter Storms
Terrorism and Violence
Volcanic Eruptions
Mudslides

The best way to protect the children in your care during a man-made or natural disaster is to be prepared before the event happens. Develop a disaster response plan that includes:

Staff education/training
Parent/guardian and community involvement; communication with parents about your disaster response plan
Evacuation, dismissal, and assembly policies
Emergency plans for children with special health care or medication needs
Education for children
Staff assignments before, during, and after a disaster
Plans for care of pets
A safety check of your facility
Disaster supply kits with enough supplies to meet essential needs for a minimum of three days

Remember that emergency services (fire department, paramedics/hospital, police department may be unavailable during a major disaster, as these systems will be overworked. Phone, power, and water systems may be disrupted. Before a disaster happens, you and your staff should know:

The location of and how to turn off your gas, water, and circuit breakers.
How to pitch a tent.
How to light a camp stove.
Your local emergency radio station.

Child Care Disaster Supply Kit

Water: 1 gallon per person per day (minimum 3 gallons per person).
Food: Non-perishable and easily prepared foods that don't require cooking.
A radio and extra batteries.
Several flashlights and extra batteries.
A well-stocked first aid kit.
A fire extinguisher.
A wrench (to turn off the utilities if needed).
Something to cook food on (camp stove).
A manual can opener (if you are storing canned food).
Some way to keep the children and yourself warm and dry (space blankets, tents).
Garbage bags (for keeping things dry, keeping garbage together, toileting).
Diapers and formula.
An updated class list, contact information and emergency release forms.
A pencil/pen and a log to track who gets released to whom.
Extra clothes, shoes and socks for everyone.
Any special medication a child in your care may need (at least a 3 day supply).
Paper/plastic products to eat/drink from.
Comfort kits (one per child, in gallon-size resealable plastic bag). Items might include warm clothes, blanket, a photo or letter from the child's family and a small toy.

Learn about specific ways to prepare your center or home for different kinds of disaster situations. There are several useful websites listed below that give detailed instructions on disaster preparedness. Take an earthquake or disaster preparedness class. Much of the information learned can be applied to other types of emergencies. For more information about developing a disaster response plan, please consult the Public Health Nurse for your area at (206) 296-2770.

Web Resources on Disaster Preparation and Bioterrorism

King County Office of Emergency Management
http://www.metrokc.gov/prepare

King County's website includes information on preparing for disasters as well as detailed information about King County's emergency plan.
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org/services/disaster/keepsafe

The American Red Cross website has useful information on preparing for winterstorms, earthquakes, volcanoes, fires, floods, and chemical emergencies, and a variety of other potential emergencies.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
http://www.fema.gov/library

The FEMA website provides fact sheets on preparing for fire, earthquake, hazardous materials accidents, terrorism and other disasters. Click on "FEMA for Kids" for information and activities to communicate with children about disaster preparedness.
Public Health - Seattle & King County
http://www.metrokc.gov/health/bioterrorism

Public Health's website provides answers to frequently asked questions about bioterrorism, information for health care providers, and links to other sources of information on bioterrorism.