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Planning for Storms With Kids | SERVPRO of Westfield
5/15/2024 (Permalink)
When the storm has passed, call SERVPRO of Westfield to help you recover.
If the boom of thunder sends your home into chaos, you aren’t alone. It isn’t uncommon for animals, kids and even adults to feel nervous as storms approach, and all those nerves can make it hard to make fast decisions.
Texas weather can be pretty volatile, and our community certainly isn’t immune. Strong thunderstorms are common year-round, while tornadoes, flooding and even the remnants of hurricanes can roll in pretty often as well. There isn’t a lot we can do about the weather, but we can take charge of our own home and how we respond to storms.
When you make a plan and gather plenty of supplies, you can ease any fears and keep everyone safe.
One of the best ways to prepare for storms is by learning about them and teaching the kids what to look for. Head outside and spend some time talking about the sky and the changes that can happen when a storm is headed our way.
Tell the kids that things may look black, blue or even green. Make sure they understand that if they see twisty, swirling clouds or hear thunder they should head indoors right away.
If your home is close enough to hear community warning sirens, make sure your kids can identify what they are. Check for a testing date and have the kids compete to see who can hear it first and how fast they can get to safe space when they do hear it. The more you can get kids used to the sights and sounds of a storm, the less scary inclement weather will be.
After you have spent time getting to know the sights and sounds of storms, the next step is to create a solid emergency plan with your family. This should include where to go during a tornado, strong thunderstorm or flood. You should also put together an emergency kit when you create your family plan.
For severe storms, the lowest level of your home is ideal. Find an interior room with as few windows as possible. Let the kids play in or near this space so that they can get comfortable with it. Make sure they understand that if flooding is predicted you will need to move to higher ground. Choose a safe location higher up to meet in the event that a flood threatens your home.
Along with knowing where to go in different circumstances, it is important to have the right supplies. Let the kids help you build an emergency kit with first-aid supplies, batteries, candles and flashlights. Give them the opportunity to pick some shelf-stable snacks to keep in your emergency kit as well.
When severe weather is predicted, put your kit somewhere you can quickly grab it, and add in water, prescription medications and some seasonally appropriate shoes. It can also help to give the kids their own flashlights. These can help them navigate a dark house and help them feel a little safer during weather events.
Some non-electronic games are another great addition to your emergency kit. Card games, activity books and board games are a great distraction from thunder and lightning.
Nerves and apprehensions about weather are normal in people of all ages, but they can be particularly hard to deal with for young children. Make sure you keep your emergency planning lighthearted, and incorporate games to make things feel fun.
It is also helpful to know that extreme damage to a home is rare. The majority of the time, damage is isolated to roofs, siding and the yard.
Let your focus be on keeping everyone calm. When you have a plan and the supplies you need to stay safe, you can ride out storms with ease.
Storm damage should always be addressed quickly. Contact SERVPRO® day or night for the restoration services you need.