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Tips for Storm Planning With Nervous Kids | SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties
5/15/2024 (Permalink)
When the storm has passed, call SERVPRO of Barron, Dunn & Rusk Counties to help you recover.
The thunder is booming, lightning is cracking overhead and the tornado sirens are going off. Your dog is pacing, your kids are panicking and you don’t know what to do first. Storm situations can be really scary, especially in the late spring and early summer when tornadoes are more common.
While we can’t control the weather, we can certainly control how we prepare for it and react to it so that everyone stays calm. This is especially true for your little ones!
Read on as our team explains some easy ways to incorporate storm planning into your family routine so that everyone is calm, cool and collected when a true emergency hits.
We can all recognize a cloudy day versus a sunny one, but that doesn’t mean that we all know what to look for when the clouds start to change. Even if the forecast doesn’t predict storms, it is important to always keep an eye on the sky. Teach your kids the signs that a potentially dangerous storm is approaching. Rotating clouds, a dark or green sky, rumbling thunder and lightning should prompt them to head inside right away.
They should also learn what a tornado siren sounds like and the different instances in which it could go off. Preparing them for the sound can be easier when the sirens are being tested, because it is not an emergency and they can get used to hearing the sound from different areas of your home. Have them practice listening for the siren and then time them to see how long it takes for them to reach your safe shelter location.
Have you taken the time to create a storm emergency plan with your family? That includes discussing how and when to get to your safe shelter location as well as making sure your emergency kit is packed and ready to go.
Choose the lowest level of your home and then find an innermost room, ideally without windows. Keep a small gathering area clear at all times. If you can pull something heavy like a table or a desk into the room, have your kids practice by building a fort around the space and huddling inside together.
Your kids can, and should, help you pack up your emergency kit! Start with the basic necessities and have your children help choose what goes into the bag. Some of their favorite foods and snacks should go in as well as shelf-stable water for the entire family.
Have each child pick out a flashlight and label it with his or her name. Don’t forget the extra batteries! Candles, matches, and any specific medications or prescriptions should also be added at this time.
Finally, let your kids pick some special games or activities that are only played during severe weather situations. If you lose power or need to stay sheltered for an extended period of time, you will be thankful for the added distraction.
Severe weather can be scary even for adults, so it is natural for your kids to be apprehensive about storms and severe weather planning. It can sometimes help to explain that the chances of experiencing severe destruction or suffering from a direct tornado hit are actually really low. Most home damage during storms and even small tornadoes is typically focused on the roof, siding and your surrounding property.
Focus on keeping your kids calm and distracted during the weather event, and it can help to narrate the events in a light-hearted way as they are happening. Together, you will all be able to tackle severe weather with much more confidence.
Storm damage should always be addressed quickly. Contact SERVPRO® day or night for the restoration services you need.