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Kids and Preparedness

What If We’re Ready? Plan. Pack. Practice. 

Erie County, in coordination with its COAD (Community Organizations Active in Disaster) partners, is sharing ideas for children and their families to use when preparing their households for emergencies.  

This initiative focuses on building confidence, awareness and resilience in children and families by promoting simple, age-appropriate emergency preparedness strategies. We’re asking a powerful question: “What if we’re ready?” Let’s help our kids build the skills they need to stay safe and strong—no matter what comes their way. 

  • Make a Plan – Know how to communicate with your family and where to meet during an emergency.  
  • Pack Your Kit – Gather essential supplies for health, safety and comfort, and keep them accessible and updated.  
  • Practice as a Family – Rehearse your plan so everyone knows what to do. 

blue background with icons representing emergency kit supplies and a comic-style child's head

Make a Plan 

Talk together as a family about what to do in different emergencies. Kids can help too!

Pack Your Kit 

Involve kids in building your family’s emergency kit—it’s a great way to get them involved! 

  • Kids can pull together the basics: food and snacks, water, jacket and hat, first aid items, a toothbrush, flashlight and new batteries, a favorite toy or book, pet items 

Practice as a Family 

Practice makes prepared! Rehearse your plan so everyone knows what to do. 

Resources and Tips for Emergency Preparedness

Helping kids build emergency readiness skills is a great way to boost their confidence and safety. This page includes age-appropriate skills children can learn to prepare for emergencies. Being prepared for emergencies is just another way of taking on responsibility as kids grow up. We invite schools, youth groups, pediatricians and local leaders to share these tools and messages. Together, we can help every child in Erie County feel ready, confident, and safe. 

General Preparedness

Technology 

  • Download the ReadyErie app
  • Sign up for NYS text alerts by texting your county name to 333-111 

Checklists 

What Kids Can Learn

  • Their full name, address, and parents’ names and phone numbers
  • How to recognize emergencies like fire, floods or severe weather
  • What warning signs sound or look like (smoke alarms, sirens, alerts)
  • Basic first aid: cleaning a cut, using a bandage, applying an ice pack
  • How to call 911 and what to say

Kid-friendly Resources 

Family Communication Plan for Kids (PDF; Ready.gov)

Reuniting with your family after an emergency (Healthychildren.org)

Disaster Facts (Ready.gov)

Winter Storm Disasters – Facts for Families (Healthychildren.org)

Erie County’s Reach out to 911 program teaches children and adults how and when to call 911 

911 Simulator

Emotional Preparedness 

Emergencies can cause anxiety, fear and confusion, for adults and kids. Talking through “what if” questions can make everyone feel like they have more control.

what if your power was out for a week? you had to leave your home without warning?

Talk about fears

Encouraging open conversations about “what if” scenarios. 

Encourage helping others

Looking out for siblings, pets, or classmates. 

Free Mindfulness Apps 

(Android and Apple) 

  • Insight Timer: for children and adults; thousands of guided meditations, nature sounds, songs and stories; resources for sleep, anxiety and stress
  • Smiling Mind: for all ages; resources for stress, sleep, focus, wellbeing and more; downloadable content for offline use 

Preparing for Specific Types of Emergencies

Shelter in Place 

  • Pick the safest room in your home
  • Know how to stay warm, clean, and calm
  • Talk about what to do during power outages or storms 

Staying put in disasters – how to shelter in place (American Public Health Association) 

graphic with message for kids and teens to pack items that make them feel safe, healthy and cozy during an emergency

Fire Safety 

  • Practice a home fire drill—even at night!  
  • Identify two exits from every room  
  • Choose a meeting spot outside  
  • Practice “Stop, Drop & Roll” and crawling under smoke 

Fire Safety – Planning Saves Lives (Healthychildren.org) 

Home Emergency Escape Map (PDF; NYS DHSES)

Practice makes prepared! Practice a home fire drill. Pick a meeting spot outside your home. Talk about sheltering in place and what to do in sever weather.

Social Media Toolkit

Here are 5 social media posts based on the “What If We’re Ready? Plan. Pack. Practice.” campaign.

Social media, suggested text Graphic (click to download full-size version)

What if we’re ready? 

What if we’re ready? Emergencies can be scary—but being prepared builds confidence and keeps families safe.  Erie County and COAD partners are helping kids and families get ready with 3 simple steps: 
🧭 Plan 
🎒 Pack 
🏡 Practice 
Let’s build a safer, stronger community—together. 

https://www3.erie.gov/health/kids-and-preparedness 
 

 blue background with icons representing emergency kit supplies and a comic-style child's head

Plan your work, then work your plan, when it comes to emergency preparedness. Step 1: Make a Plan 🧭 
Talk with your kids about what to do in an emergency. 
✅ Know your meeting spot 
✅ Learn how to call 911 
✅ Practice sharing your name, address & phone number 
Prepared kids are confident kids! 

https://www3.erie.gov/health/kids-and-preparedness 
 

 blue background with message for kids and teens to memorize parents' phone numbers, learn how and when to call 911, and set up emergency alerts on phones

Pack Your Kit 🎒 Let kids help build your family’s emergency kit! 
Include: 
🥪 Snacks & water 
🧸 A favorite toy 
🧦 Warm clothes 
🔦 Flashlight & batteries 
🐾 Pet supplies 
It’s a great way to teach responsibility and readiness.

https://www3.erie.gov/health/kids-and-preparedness 

 graphic with message for kids and teens to pack items that make them feel safe, healthy and cozy during an emergency

September is National Preparedness Month. Practice your plans Together 🏡 Practice makes prepared! 
🚪 Practice a home fire drill 
🧍‍♂️ Pick a meeting spot 
🌩️ Talk about sheltering during storms 
The more you practice, the more confident your kids will feel. 

https://www3.erie.gov/health/kids-and-preparedness 
 

Emergencies can be overwhelming—especially for kids. Talking about “what ifs” helps them feel more in control. 
 🧠 Practice mindfulness 
 💬 Talk about fears 
 🤝 Encourage helping others 
 Let’s build emotional resilience, one conversation at a time. 

https://www3.erie.gov/health/kids-and-preparedness 
 

 what if your power was out for a week? you had to leave your home without warning?

 

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