Teach children about hurricane safety early so that they will be prepared if a hurricane hits your area. Discuss safety procedures and emergency plans with your whole family so that everyone will know what to do in the event of a hurricane. Hurricane season begins on June 1st and continues until November 30th. These strong tropical storms have sustained winds of at least 74 MPH. Hurricanes can cause wind damage, tornadoes and deadly flooding. Certain safety precautions can help keep you and your family safe.
Watches and Warnings
Explain to children the difference between watches and warnings. A hurricane watch indicates that your area might experience hurricane conditions within 36 hours. A hurricane warning indicates that your area will experience hurricane conditions, including sustained winds of at least 74 MPH, within 24 hours. Teach children the name of the county you live in so that they will know whether a watch or warning applies to their area.
Safe Location
Discuss safe hurricane locations with your family. For example, if you live in a mobile home, on a barrier island or in a flood-prone area, you will need to seek shelter in a sturdier building at higher ground in the event of a hurricane. If emergency or government officials instruct people in your area to evacuate, you should follow those instructions. Discuss evacuation plans with children ahead of time so everyone is prepared and ready to leave quickly if an emergency strikes.
Safety Supplies
Encourage children to keep a flashlight, battery-powered radio and first-aid kit in their rooms. Keep enough bottled water and canned food in the house to last the family for up to three days. Instruct children that tap water might not be safe to drink for several days after the hurricane, and you might not be able to leave your house to get more food if the storm stalls over your area.
During the Hurricane
Remind children to stay indoors throughout the hurricane, even during the deceptively calm eye of the storm. Children should not go outside until the hurricane has completely passed, any potentially dangerous debris has been cleared and no flooding exists. Encourage children to listen to the radio for updates during the storm.
Tornadoes
Explain tornado safety procedures to children in case a tornado occurs during a hurricane. If the weather service issues a tornado warning for your county, seek shelter in the basement or in an interior room without windows on the building's lowest level. Bring pets with you.
Floods
The heavy rain associated with hurricanes often produces flooding. Remind children not to play near flood waters, standing water or storm drains, even after the hurricane has passed. Flood waters can contain dangerous electrical charges or water-borne diseases.
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