BUILD SKILLS. STAY READY.
Youth Preparedness Resource Hub
Practical tools and trusted information to help children, teens, and families prepare together.
Young people who learn about preparedness feel less anxious when an emergency happens. When kids help make the plan, they become leaders at home and in their communities.
Parents, caregivers, teachers, and youth leaders: start here.
Because you matter.
Four Things You Can Do Today
Make preparedness a family activity.
Build a kit
Let kids help pack the family kit and add a comfort item like a book or game.
Practice 911
Teach children how and when to call 911.
Contact cards
Put a card in each child's backpack with emergency contacts, allergies, and medical needs.
Ask the school
Learn how your child's school will reach you and where you pick up your child in an emergency.
MAKE YOUR PLAN
Create Your Family Emergency Plan for Kids
Does every child in your home know what to do in an emergency?
Do they know how to reach you, where to meet, and who to call? Do they know their school's plan?
Planning Ahead's Family Emergency Plan for Kids helps your family answer those questions together.
Use the plan to:
✓ How we will reach each other
✓ Two family meeting places
✓ Two ways out of every room
✓ When and how to call 911
✓ A contact card in every backpack
✓ Our school's emergency plan
✓ My safe spot for a tornado
✓ My part of the family kit
✓ Who takes care of our pets
✓ Our practice dates
Download your printable plan (PDF) and keep it with your emergency supplies.
Signs a Child May Be Stressed
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Ages 0 to 2: fussier, cry more, and want to be held more.
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Ages 3 to 6: return to younger habits, trouble sleeping, tantrums, or fear of being apart from you.
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Ages 7 to 10: sadness, anger, fear it will happen again, or trouble focusing.
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Preteens and teens: acting out, pulling away from friends, arguing more, or feeling anxious or down.
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If these feelings last more than 2 to 4 weeks or get worse, reach out to a professional.
What To Do
During an emergency
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Listen to the adult in charge and follow safety directions.
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At school, follow your drill and go to the area you practiced.
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For a tornado at home, go to an inside room on the lowest floor, away from windows.
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Parents: do not go to the school during an emergency. Wait until officials say it is safe to pick up your child.
After an emergency
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Keep routines as normal as possible, like family meals and returning to school.
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Limit news coverage of the disaster, which can upset children again.
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Let kids help in safe ways, like volunteering with family. Children should not help with disaster cleanup.
Helping kids cope
Ask your child how they feel and answer their questions in a truthful, simple way. Take care of your own stress too, because children learn from you. Keeping at least one daily routine the same as before the emergency helps kids feel safe.
Trusted Resources
Official sources for alerts, safety tips, and local help. Links open in a new tab.