Children and Specific Disasters or Emergencies

Chemical emergencies

Many chemicals can go through clothing and be absorbed through the skin. Children are at a higher risk of absorbing harmful chemicals due to their thinner skin. If exposed to hazardous chemicals, you will need to quickly decontaminate (reduce or remove the chemical so it is no longer dangerous to you). You can decontaminate by removing your clothing, disposing of it properly, and washing your body. If you and your child are exposed, decontaminate yourself first and then decontaminate your child. Wash your hands with soap and water after decontaminating another person to ensure that you do not contaminate yourself or anyone else.

Radiation emergencies

Although anyone exposed to radiation may experience harmful health effects, children are more likely to get sick from radiation exposure than healthy adults. Children have more cells that are growing and dividing rapidly, their organs and tissues are growing, and they have a longer lifespan ahead of them, giving cancers more time to develop. Children have thinner skin and breathe in more air for their size than adults, so they could absorb more radiation. Children may not know what to do or how to keep themselves safe by limiting their exposure to radiation in an emergency.

During pregnancy, a developing baby is vulnerable to radiation exposure. Pregnant women should take extra precautions during a radiation emergency. It is possible for nursing mothers to pass radioactive materials to their babies through their breastmilk. If other milk sources are available, they should consider not breastfeeding until they can see their healthcare professional.

It is especially important for children to follow instructions to protect themselves from radiation. They should receive medical attention after a radiation emergency as soon as emergency officials say it is safe to do so.

Biological threats

A biologic threat is an infectious disease with the potential to spread and cause an outbreak. Biologic threats may spread naturally, as in a worldwide flu outbreak, or be released intentionally, as in a bioterrorism attack. Children are more likely to get sick and have a more severe illness from a biologic threat compared to healthy adults for several reasons.

• Children's immune systems are not fully developed, which means they can more easily get an infection and may have a harder time fighting off the infection.
• Germs can spread rapidly because children typically have frequent, close contact with other children or family members, and they put their hands in their mouths more often than adults.
• Children may not understand how to protect themselves or understand the importance of safety measures. For instance, they may not follow recommendations to prevent the spread of germs, like wearing a facemask or proper hand washing.

Severe weather

Children's bodies are different from adults in ways that make them more likely to get sick or injured, especially during a severe weather event.

• Children are smaller and still developing. Falls or flying objects can easily damage their internal organs during earthquakes, tornadoes, or other severe weather.
• Children's bones are still growing and they are more likely to break or fracture.
• Children's immune systems are still developing so they are more susceptible to germs that can make them sick.
  • For example, if drinking water or food becomes contaminated with germs due to loss of electricity or unsanitary conditions, children can develop diarrhea or vomiting and quickly become dehydrated. A vomiting or diarrheal illness that is mild in adults can be serious in children.

Children rely on adults for their protection and may not understand what to do to keep themselves safe if separated from their caregivers. For example, they may not know when severe weather poses a threat to their health and safety, or they may not be physically capable of escaping a dangerous situation. They may have trouble following directions or communicating their needs or wants.

Learn about additional steps that you need to take for different severe weather events: