Lightning strikes west of Hooker, Oklahoma in 2013. Photo courtesy of Stanley Harper/Black Mesa Images
Be Prepared Use these practical tips to help your family get ready for storm season. D By Laura Araujo
ark clouds, howling winds, pelting hail, peals of thunder and light- ning fl ashes—the perfect setting for a horror movie? Perhaps. But during spring in Oklahoma, these weather phenomena are likely to take place in our own backyards.
While severe storms can be scary for anyone, they may be particularly frightening for children. Weather events can disrupt a child’s normal routine and cause them to feel confused or out of control. Furthermore, a child’s imagination may magnify their fearful feelings. “Storms can cause kids a lot of anxiety. The more prepared you are, and the less anxiety parents have, the better kids will feel,” says Keli Cain, public information office for the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
Having a family preparedness plan can help children to stay safe and calm during severe weather events. Lori McFarlane, regional communications director for the American Red Cross, says there are three basic steps for preparing the family for storm season.
First, purchase or put together an emergency kit.
An emergency kit should contain three days’ worth of non-perishable food and bottled water for each family member, a can opener, hygiene items, fi rst aid, blankets, a change of clothes and sturdy shoes. Also consider any special items that may be needed for infants, those with disabilities or med- ical needs, and pets. The kit can be assembled in a sturdy bag or plastic tub and stored in an accessible location.
“Kids can put together their own emergency kit in a backpack or pillow- case with a fl ashlight, a bottle of water and a favorite toy,” McFarlane says. “This makes them feel like they have a little power.”
Cain recommends that families prepare for extended power outages by having an alternate source of air conditioning for the summertime and heat for the winter. In case of prolonged events, families can take advantage of Red Cross shelters that may be established. Next, have a plan for what to do in the event of various emergency situ- ations. For example, kids need to know where to go in case of a tornado— whether a safe room, a ground-fl oor interior closet or bathroom with no windows, or the basement. “A storm room gives children a place to go that they know will be safe. If a tornado happens, they know what they’re supposed to do, and they don’t have that sense of uncertainty,” Cain says. Families can prepare in advance for earthquakes by checking the house to make sure there are no objects that could fall and cause injury. Lamps and pictures in bedrooms should be well secured so they don’t fall on a child while sleeping. McFarlane adds that parents should practice their emergency plan with
their children in a way that makes it fun rather than scary. “Practicing the plan makes kids feel like they have power because they know what to do,” she says. Another enjoyable way for children to prepare is the Red Cross Monster Guard app—free for Apple and Android devices. The game teaches skills for use in a variety of emergency situations. Finally, McFarlane says it’s important to stay informed when there is bad weather moving into the area. This information is available via a NOAA weather radio, from the National Weather Service, a local TV channel, or an app, like the American Red Cross emergency alerts and notifi cations app. Cain concludes that taking measures to prepare for storms and other emergencies should be an annual activity for Oklahoma families. “The more prepared you are, the less fear you’ll have,” she says.
“Practicing the plan makes kids feel like they have power
because they know what to do.” - Lori McFarlane, American Red Cross
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