Weathering the Storm Together: A Family Safety Plan

Severe weather doesn’t occur every day, but when it does, it can be scary for both kids and grown-ups. Preparing for severe weather together can help your family feel empowered to take action during a storm and stay safe. Follow the steps below to prepare your family for a severe weather event.

Learn about the weather where you live. Pull up a map to help your children identify their town or city. Explain that different types of severe weather happen all over the world, and many severe weather events occur too far away to affect your neighborhood.

Sort which of the following events could occur in your area and which are very unlikely to occur: hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, droughts, blizzards, extreme heat, extreme cold, hail, or thunderstorms. Once you know which storms you’re preparing for, you can learn more about that specific type of weather event.

Build a family safety kit. Creating a safety kit is a great way to involve the whole family in getting prepared. Turn it into a scavenger hunt! Use the checklist below and search your home for items you already have. Then, make a shopping list for anything you still need. Store the kit in or near the safe place your family will go during a storm.

Family Emergency Kit Checklist

• Plastic storage box (you may need more than one, depending on your family size)

• Water – 1 gallon per person per day

• Food for 3 days, such as:

  • Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, and vegetables

  • Dry cereal

  • Peanut butter

  • Canned juices and non-perishable pasteurized milk

• Manual can opener

• First aid kit, including:

  • Bandages

  • Antibacterial ointment

  • Disinfectant wipes

• Toilet paper and waste baggies

• Pliers or multi-tool

• Radio (and batteries, if needed)

• Phone battery

• Solar-powered batteries

• Battery-powered fans

• Blankets

• Flashlights or lanterns (with extra batteries)

• Medications (as needed)

• Baby supplies (if needed)

• Pet supplies (if needed)

Help kids pack their own emergency bag. Children can pack a small bag to include in the family kit. Having their own bag helps them feel involved and reassured during a storm. Here are some items to include:

• Blanket: A blanket helps kids to feel comfortable, stay warm, and protect against flying debris

• One small toy: A toy will help your child feel more secure and will help pass the time during the event.

• Crayons and paper: Once you’re safe and waiting out a storm, encourage your child to express their feelings through pictures or words.

• Flashlight with fresh batteries: The dark can be scary. Having their own flashlight can help them feel more in control. When you’re in a safe place and waiting, play with the shadows the flashlight makes.

• Whistle: A whistle can be used to call for help or to signal to others in an emergency. Practice using it together: Have your child hide and blow the whistle so they see how it helps you find them.

Practice getting to a safe location. For many severe weather events, a basement or an interior room with no windows is the best option for protection. Children ages 4-8 should go straight to the safe location when severe weather is approaching. If they're worried about family members who might need help, go over the plan for what you'll do to help.

Create and share roles and responsibilities for older family members, so young children can feel confident about their own role. Talk about how everyone has an important job, and their job is to get to the safe spot. “Dad will grab the safety kit. Mom will get the dog on a leash. And we will all meet in the basement.”

Time how long it takes your family to get to the safe location, then see if you can do it even quicker!

Preparing for severe weather doesn’t have to be scary — it can be empowering. By learning, packing, and practicing together, your family will be ready to face any storm with confidence.