How to Prepare Kids for Emergencies

Save the Children is the national leader for children in emergencies. We support kids, families and communities in every aspect of a disaster: helping get ready and prepare, responding when an emergency strikes, leading long-term recovery programs and restoring education. Here you can download an In Case of Emergency (ICE) Card for your family members, plus a Disaster Checklist to help parents, caregivers and teachers prepare ahead of time.

Tips for Keeping Children Safe

A 9 year-old girl is of 16 extended family members who evacuated together to the shelter for hurricane Harvey. All the children have been attending the Save the Children child-friendly space set up in the shelter. Photo Credit: Susan Warner/Save the Children 2017.
Helping Children Cope with Disaster
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Here are 10 tips on how to help children cope with the after effects of a disaster – right from our emergency experts.
A grandmother embraces three of her grandchildren amid debris and rubble caused by Hurricane Maria. Like most families, they’re coping with the realities of life and loss after the devastating storm in 2017. Photo credit: Rebecca Zilenziger / Save the Children, October 2017.
Hurricane Safety Tips
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Before, during and after a hurricane. Here are hurricane preparedness tips for parents to help protect children from distress.
A group of children stands amid the debris that was once their grandmother’s home after an EF5 tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma in May of 2013. Their parents are working to salvage what they can from the house. Pictured here are Randa, 14, Shelby, 16, Brett, 10 and Mykayla.9. Photo credit: Justin Clemons / Getty Images, May 2013.
Tornado Safety Tips
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Tornadoes are more common in the U.S. than any other country. Use these tips to keep children safe before, during and after a tornado.
After an 8.2 earthquake severely shook Mexico Save the Children’s emergency response team quickly mobilized to ensure the children in shelters are protected and learning, with access to safe spaces to learn and play. Photo credit: Dorian Martínez/Save the Children 2017.
Earthquake Safety Tips
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Save the Children’s emergency experts share what to do in the event of an earthquake, and how you can keep children safe during a disaster.
Carolyn Miles, president & CEO of Save the Children meets with families in a mega-shelter in Houston, Texas. Photo Credit Susan Warner/Save the Children 2017.
Flood Safety Tips
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Floods are among the most frequent and costly natural disasters in the U.S. Here are 10 tips on how to keep children safe before, during and after a flood.
Extreme heat can cause illness and dehydration and even death. People who are at greater risk from the effects of heat include children, senior citizens and those who live in urban areas.
Extreme Heat Safety Tips
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Extreme heat can cause illness, dehydration and even death. Here are 10 tips from our emergency experts on how to beat the heat.
Children attend a special Prep Rally at Butterfield Trail Elementary School organized by the Washington County Community Resilience Coalition. Photo Credit Bob Coleman/Save the Children 2017.
Keeping Children Safe in a Fire
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Fires and burns are one of the leading causes of death for children under the age of 15. Preventing fire is key to keeping children safe.
Wallow Fire in 2011 burned 538,000 acres and was the largest in Arizona history. Photo Credit: Rick D’Elia 2011.
Wildfire Safety Tips
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Four out of five wildfires are started by people’s negligence. Save the Children offers 10 tips for keeping children safe in a wildfire.
A Children in Crisis Forum held in Fairfield CT in the after math of 9-11. The forum was led by Neil Boothby and members of the US programs. Photo Credit: Susan Warner/Save the Children 2001.
Helping Children Cope with Terrorism
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Save the Children keeps children safe – including after acts of terrorism. Here are 10 tips on how to help children cope with the after-effects of a terrorist attack.
A girl plays outside in the snow
Winter Safety Tips
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Low temps can lead to dangerous conditions for kids – and injuries too. These tips from our emergency response experts can ensure that kids stay safe and warm in winter.

Great Resources from Our Partners

FEMA's Ready.Gov
Be a Hero Games For Kids

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Child Safety & Prevention

US Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Human Services Emergency Preparedness & Response
Early Childhood Disaster-Related Resources

American Red Cross
Be Red Cross Ready family preparedness tools

Zero to Three
Helping Young Kids Cope After Exposure to Traumatic Event

American Academy of Pediatrics
Disaster Planning Standards and Resources for Child Care Providers. Visit Disaster Planning Standards & Resources for Child Care Providers

FLASH (Federal Alliance for Safe Homes)
Severe weather risks U.S. Map

CDC' Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response
Ready Wrigley Activity Books for Children

US Department of Education
Readiness and Emergency Management for Schools Technical Assistance Center

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