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Tips for Storm Planning to Keep Your Kids Calm | SERVPRO of Conway & Faulkner Counties
5/15/2024 (Permalink)
When the storm has passed, call SERVPRO of Conway & Faulkner Counties to help you recover.
Thunder roars, lightning strikes and tornado sirens blare. Your dog paces, the kids panic and you’re unsure where to start. Storms can be terrifying, especially as we make our way into the hot and humid summer season.
Though we can’t control the weather, we can prepare and react to it to keep everyone calm, especially the kids.
Our team has some simple suggestions to integrate storm planning into your family’s routine, ensuring everyone stays calm during emergencies. Keep reading for the details.
We can all distinguish between cloudy and sunny days, but not everyone knows what signs to watch for when clouds shift. Even without storm forecasts, it’s vital to monitor the sky. Teach your kids the indicators of an approaching dangerous storm—rotating clouds, dark or green sky, thunder and lightning mean they should head indoors immediately.
They should also recognize the sound of a tornado siren and when it might go off. Familiarizing them with the siren during tests can help, as it’s not an emergency and they can get used to it from different areas of your home. Let them practice listening for the siren and time how long it takes to reach your safe shelter.
Have you made a storm emergency plan with your family? This includes deciding how and when to reach your safe shelter and ensuring your emergency kit is packed and ready.
Choose the lowest level of your home and locate an innermost room, preferably without windows. Keep a clear gathering area and practice building a fort with heavy items like a table or desk. Let your kids help and join in.
Involve your kids in packing your emergency kit! Start with essentials and let them choose items. Add their favorite foods and snacks, along with shelf-stable water for everyone.
Each child should select a flashlight and label it. Remember to include extra batteries, candles, matches and any necessary medications.
Lastly, let your kids pick special games or activities reserved for severe weather situations. They’ll provide a much-needed distraction if you lose power or need to shelter for a while.
Severe weather can be frightening, especially for children, so it’s natural for them to feel anxious about storms and planning for them. Sometimes, it can be reassuring to explain that the chances of severe destruction or a direct tornado hit are actually quite low. Most storm damage, even from small tornadoes, typically affects the roof, siding and surrounding property.
Keep your children calm and distracted during severe weather, and try narrating the events in a lighthearted way as they happen. By facing severe weather together, you’ll all feel more confident.
Storm damage should always be addressed quickly. Contact SERVPRO® day or night for the restoration services you need.