October 30, 2024

Keeping Children Safe in Disasters

Emergencies can happen while you are not with your child.
Have a plan to protect your child with the school, daycare, or caregiver.
Use CDC's "Easy as A-B-C" resource to keep your child safe.
Review the plan yearly and keep contact information up to date.

Woman kneeling down with a young boy with their foreheads pressed together.

Background

Emergencies such as weather events, violence, or a water main break at school occur with little or no warning. Being prepared before an event is a good way to protect your child.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the "Easy as A-B-C" resource to help schools, childcare centers, caregivers, and families with their emergency planning. It is important to review the plan yearly and keep all contact information up to date.

Emergencies are chaotic. Work with you child's school or daycare using these steps. They can help ease the confusion and keep your child safe and reunite with them as quickly as possible.

Easy as A-B-C

Use the following A-B-C steps to develop a plan for the school, the daycare, or the child's caregiver.

Ask

How will you be notified in the event of emergency or evacuation?
Where will the child or children go during an evacuation?
How will you and your child be reunited?

Bring

Extra essential supplies such as diapers or a batter pack for equipment.
Extra or special food, milk, or formula.
Extra essential medications, including inhalers.
- Does the school or daycare keep these on hand, or do you need to bring items to be stored?
- What is the policy for administering medicine to your child? (How, when, by whom?)