Every childcare provider should be prepared for emergencies. Most caregivers have given more thought to emergency preparation following the tragedies of September 11, 2001 or the Hurricane Katrina. In truth, the possibility of disaster has always been present in the form of natural disasters: tornado, hurricane, lightning, fire, flood, earthquake, or ice storm.

Fire or chemical spills events may require evacuation of children to other sites. Power outages or transportation problems could delay parents and require you to care for children longer than expected. Also, parents might be injured or unable to contact you to arrange alternative care for their children.

A disaster situation typically gives little warning and can leave confusion and devastation in its wake. Regardless of the actual event, you should be prepared to provide safe, high quality care for children in your care for several days, whether in your childcare setting or after evacuation to another designated site.

Preparation and Practice

Your program’s policies and procedures should clearly indicate who is responsible for developing and carrying out each part of the emergency plan. During planning, consider procedures for various types of emergencies, communication with staff and parents, establishing relationships with community emergency personnel, and practice with children. Each staff member should know his or her specific responsibility; have at least two people assigned to each task--one person as primary and another as back up.

Identify the safest area of your building for specific events such as tornados, flooding, or chemical spills. Identify two different exit routes from each room of your facility or home. Outline specific procedures for lock down events (i.e., intruders, terrorist attack). Your local fire department or emergency medical professionals in your area can help you develop these plans.

All staff and children should practice monthly drills for various emergency situations. Keep the drills simple, and include as many similarities as possible for the different events. For example, regardless of the event, if exiting with children and walking to another area or outside, always use the same words, such as “Ready-Go,” and the same procedure, such as having each child hold onto a knot in a long rope. These drills not only prepare children for situations while in your care, but also help them know what to do in similar situations at home or elsewhere.

Evacuation Plan

If your facility is in harm’s way, or emergency personnel require you to evacuate for children’s safety, then you need to have everything ready ahead of time for a speedy evacuation.

Shelter Identify ahead of time and arrange for appropriate shelter; however, keep in mind that emergency personnel may direct you to a different shelter than originally planned.

Exit Routes The evacuation plan should be posted in a highly visible place for staff and parents to view. Fire evacuation posters should include two exit routes from each room and designate a safe meeting place away from the building; tornado posters should indicate the safest area of the building. Infants or disabled children may require additional assistance during an evacuation and that assistance should be part of the plan.

Transportation Your transportation plan may include the use of volunteers, neighbors, parents, or emergency personnel--whoever may be available--to help transport the children, whether in vehicles or on foot. Include at least two transportation routes from your facility to the identified shelter; provide adults with the telephone number and written directions to the designated shelter. Transportation plans should include how to safely move groups of children from your building by using shopping carts, wagons, cribs, etc.

Head Count Take steps to account for every child at all stages of the emergency plan. Staff members should have a list of names of children who are supposed to be in their care--according to the plan--and should monitor them and address their specific needs throughout the emergency.

Supplies

Plan, prepare, and maintain emergency supplies and a “ready-to-go” disaster supplies kit or backpack. Include items such as a communication device, emergency lighting, radio and batteries, first aid kit, food supplies, and plastic bags. Regularly update emergency contact information and medical information for each child and place in a waterproof container. Have specific, labeled supplies such as allergies, prescription medications or equipment, infant formula, or food supplements for each child as needed. If possible, take activities for the children, such as a tape player and tapes of familiar stories or music, puzzles, dolls, or other soft toys.

Always take this kit with you when responding to an emergency, even during practice drills. Consider having disaster supply kits for each room or nursery; if you care for older children, you may have small kits for each child.

When preparing for a possible extended stay, you will need general supplies such as clothing, diapers, food, formula, water, and blankets. Develop a calendar or tickler system to remind you to:

• Check and rotate emergency food and water supplies.
• Practice fire, severe weather, and other emergency drills.
• Check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace batteries.
• Check fire extinguisher expiration dates and have them professionally recharged, if necessary.
• Test or replace batteries in clocks, portable radios, or other communication equipment.
• Replace outdated, opened, or missing items from first aid kits.

Many shelters, such as churches or community centers, keep basic emergency supplies on hand, so ask the staff of your planned shelters what supplies and equipment will be available and which supplies you need to bring.

Inform Parents

It is essential that you inform parents of your emergency plans; give each parent a written copy of your entire plan, including alternative plans for different scenarios and the location of the designated evacuation shelter. Be sure parents know who to call if they cannot reach you. You should have permission forms for emergency situations signed by the parents or guardians of each child.
Everyone hopes they will never have to face a serious emergency, especially when caring for children. But such emergencies do happen, so prepare ahead of time for as much as possible. You, the children in your care, and their families will be glad you prepared!

Sharis LeMay, RN, Healthy Child Care Alabama Coordinator

Charlotte Hendricks, Editor, Healthy Childcare

RESOURCES

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), C St., SW Washington, D.C. 20472; 202-566-1600; www.fema.gov

Internet Resources

Child Care Aware, www.childcareaware.org/en/tools/resources/disasters.html

National Child Care Information Center, www.nccic.org/poptopics/disasterprep.html

Sample Emergency Posters, www.childhealthonline.org