You all know very well by now, it’s National Preparedness Month. As an AmeriCorps NPRC member/Preparedness Coordinator here at the Kern Chapter of the American Red Cross, I think about preparedness everyday. I mean every single day. I get to go out into the community to teach preparedness to all ranges of people, and go to events where we push preparedness even more by handing out giveaways and playing games. In my time here so far, I’ve noticed adults take preparedness much more seriously than their children. It’s clear why; adults put into perspective the reality of disasters happening, while children just fear them, have nightmares about them, and then go on about their day playing and going to school. It’s of the utmost importance that children are just as prepared and informed about disasters as their parents. A disaster or emergency will be much more traumatic for a child if they don’t know what to do or where to go.
Please refer to this link to learn about how children respond to disasters: http://www.redcross.org/prepare/location/home-family/children
The good news is, the American Red Cross has teamed up with Disney to help kids and their parents prepare for disasters in a fun way. Kids learn what to do before, during, and after a particular type of disaster by playing games or completing puzzles with their favorite Disney characters.
Disney and the American Red Cross are committed to preparing the youth in our communities, and making sure that families are ready for the unexpected.
Click here to learn more about the efforts of Disney and the American Red Cross, and start utilizing the Mickey and Friends Disaster Preparedness Activity Book: http://www.redcross.org/news/article/Red-Cross-and-Disney-Team-Up-to-Prepare-Kids-for-Disasters
Samantha Minks
AmeriCorps NPRC Member 2013-2014
Preparedness Coordinator, Community Preparedness and Resilience Services
American Red Cross – Kern Chapter
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