What do you think of having a child's harness and lanyard in a disaster? How about toilet facilities? What's a mother to do...

    During and after an emergency event the most vulnerable among us are the children, elderly and disabled. This blog will focus on the children today, how to make sure their safety needs are met, during a flood event.
    It's very important that the adults involved with the incident stay calm, it is possible to deal with emergencies in a stress free manner. Stress is contagious, if you find your self acting impulsively, fearful or angry take deep breaths, sit down and take a break. Make sure that you are in a protected area that is safe for your children and you. The first person to take control of is yourself, it is extremely important to be mentally strong.

    The more preparation and practice you do prior to an event will pay dividends to you when an actual survival situation presents it's self. A disaster plan, written down and practiced is one of the most important task to complete. Practice will become second nature, the more you walk through the plan with your child the more at ease you and the child will be during the event. Walk through the plan with your child, start in their bedroom and explain every step of the way. Show them how to put on their emergency pack, show them the two ways to exit the house, and explain what the reasons are for using each. Make sure they know they can leave the house whether or not you are with them, it's that confusion that can turn into a regrettable outcome. Stress they must get out fast, assure them you will be alright. Have a kids survival kit ready for every child in your house. A more extensive kit must be made available for each adult as well.
     While you are in a flood event, make sure you have a life preserver for everyone, especially the little ones. Teach them how to put the PFD (personal flotation device) on, practice many times. Teach the kids about the dangers of electricity, fallen power lines, outdoor electrical sockets and the danger of going into flooded basements.
     

Hey Hon! See if the lights work yet! 

Make sure to treat minor wounds rapidly, there are many dangers in flood water, parasites, bacteria and cholera to name a few. Even a small scratch can turn into a very bad infection, especially if you are stranded for days or even weeks.
     Teach them about the dangers of human waste, tell them about the diseases it can cause when introduced into water. Set up a toilet area, a tent, cardboard box, a blanket set up between trees, a spot that is secure for the children, you can use it as well. A port a potty can be made with a 5 gallon bucket, trash bags and a swimming noodle, sanitary paper is normally in each commercially prepared Emergency Kit.

A good solution to a tough situation, use a 2 1/2 gallon
bucket for the little ones. 

     Mosquito's go on a crazy breeding binge during a flood, teach the kids about mosquito's, some of the diseases they carry make sure to apply calamine lotion to calm the itching. Long pants and long sleeve shirts should be the uniform of the day, stay covered. A small fire will keep the pest at bay.
    Make sure to have plenty of water for them and you, a 1-3 year old needs 4 cups of water daily, minimum, more is better. 4-8 year old need 5 cups of water daily, any one older needs 1/2 gallon per day. Never under any circumstances use flood water for anything. Dehydration is a very real and dangerous every day concern no matter what is happening around you. Make sure everyone drinks at least their daily requirements.
    Typhoid fever, Cholera, diarrhea, and hepatitis are common diseases children get during a flood. Teach them to wash their hands with soap and water, don't wade or swim in the flood water. Be observant of what they eat, make sure it is not contaminated with flood water or full of bugs. Make certain they drink water that has been boiled or from a sealed bottle or container that you know without question is safe. Do not use well water during a flood, it has been contaminated by the flood.
   

Hey Mom! Is this the emergency kit?

I have often thought that to have a child's harness and lanyard during any emergency event may be prudent. I live next to a river, in a flood zone so this is very real to me and I've thought about it a lot. Those harness and lanyards look a bit archaic, appear to be mean, however I think during a flood they may be a blessing. It may just eliminate a little of your stress as well, an over active 6 year old will become a challenge to the most energetic parent during an emergency.
    These are just a few of the many concerns that children and parents face during a flood, indeed during any emergency. I welcome your comments, please tell me your experience and concerns with flooding. I welcome guest blogs, I will also write blogs for you. Thanks for reading!

jimandkate  emergencykitsplus.com