If your area could be affected by a natural disaster, planning ahead can make a big difference for your family. Some events, like earthquakes, happen suddenly and with little warning. While they can occur almost anywhere, families who live in higher-risk regions should be especially prepared.
Depending on the location, earthquakes can cause more than shaking. They can trigger giant waves called tsunamis near coastal areas. In higher elevation areas, earthquakes can cause landslides or avalanches. Fires can also break out after an earthquake.
It is important to follow advice from area authorities regarding when to evacuate and how to get help after an earthquake. Earthquakes may be followed by additional earthquakes, either soon afterwards (such as aftershocks) or some time later. So if you have experienced an earthquake, you should prepare for the possibility of another.
After an earthquake, families may face different challenges. Here are some steps to help you protect and support your children during these times.
How to prepare for an earthquake
- Prepare a
disaster supplies list and emergency kit. It should contain at least 3 days of food and water, medications, important document, and other household items such as first aid supplies, flashlights, radio, fire extinguisher, whistle and spare batteries.
- Participate in earthquake drills with the entire family. Make sure children and family members also understand school emergency procedures and how to get back together if they are separated in an emergency. If possible, get training in first aid and basic life support.
- Practice
drop, cover and hold. Identify safer rooms in your home and safe places in each room. These safe places could be under a sturdy table that is not near walls, windows, book cases, and shelves.
- Identify and secure potential hazards in the home. For example, fasten shelves and secure appliances. Hang heavy items away from where people sit and move heavy or breakable items to lower shelves. Place flammable items in a secure location, preferably in a garage or outside shed.
- All family members should learn where to find and shut off utilities including water, gas, and electricity at the main valves and switches, in case you hear or smell gas or see a broken water line, or if instructed by authorities to shut off utilities.
What to do during an earthquake
If indoors
- Drop, cover and hold on, ideally in a "safe place" such as under a sturdy table. Do not try to take cover in a doorway. If you are in bed, stay there while covering your head and neck with a pillow. Stay away from outer walls, windows, and heavy or hanging objects until the shaking stops and it is safe to leave the building.
- If you are in a high rise building, do not use the elevators. Be aware that electricity may go out and that sprinkler systems may come on, or even break. If in a crowded area, do not rush for doorways to leave, as others might do the same.
If outdoors
- Stay outside and move away from heavy objects that may fall on you. Examples include buildings, utility wires, streetlights and trees. Once in the open, remember to stay down low until the shaking subsides.
- If you're near the shoreline and if the earthquake is severe (lasting 20 seconds or more) immediately evacuate to higher ground in case of a tsunami. Move at least 2 miles inland or 100 feet above the sea level. In such situations, it may be best to walk quickly rather than drive so you can avoid traffic, debris and other hazards.
- If you're inside a car, stop and pull over as safely and quickly as possible, away from buildings, utility lines, streetlights, and trees while remaining safely buckled. When safe to drive again, watch for hazards created by the earthquake. Avoid ramps, overpasses, and bridges that might have been damaged.
What to do after an earthquake
- Immediately check yourself and family members for injuries. In the event of a serious injury call 9-1-1. Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury, such as if they are under a portion of a damaged building that is about to fall on them. For minor injuries and bleeding, apply basic first aid and pressure. If anyone is unresponsive or not breathing, begin
CPR.
- If you are trapped under debris from a collapsed building, bang on a pipe or a wall, use a whistle if available, and cover your nose and mouth with a cloth to protect yourself from dust and smoke. Only shout as a last resort.
- Expect aftershocks and be prepared to drop, cover and hold on. Inspect your home if inside for damage and gas leaks. If you are in a damaged building or if your home is unsafe, go outside and away from the building.
- Make sure to use flashlights and not candles or matches due to the risk of fire. Wear protective coverings and avoid any downed utility lines. Shut off utility main lines if you think there may be broken lines or if you are instructed to do so. Check and gather your food and water supplies, along with the rest of your emergency kit.
Stay connected and wait until it is safe to return home
- Listen and watch for emergency information from battery operated radios, TVs or text alerts for the latest advice on evacuation and when it is OK to return. If away from home, do not go back until you are told it is safe to return (and the route home is safe for travel).
- If possible, don't return until basic utilities are restored. It's challenging to take care of children if there is no water or electricity, or when drainage and sewage systems are not working.
- Remember to throw out unsafe food such as perishables that have not been refrigerated properly or food with unusual smell, color or texture. Check the expiration dates and for any breaks in seals of packaged food.
- Do not use contaminated water to make baby formula, prepare or wash food, or to wash your hands and utensils. Use instead
safe water such as bottled, boiled or treated water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene. Consider using hand sanitizer if unable to wash hands with soap and clean water. Use unexpired packaged foods if not able to prepare cooked meals safely.
Make sure your home & neighborhood are safe before bringing children home
- Remember that roads, bridges and ramps may be damaged, so use extra care while driving to avoid road hazards. You may also see downed utility lines and trees, along with pieces of buildings in the road. Do not enter damaged buildings and stay away from power lines and
other electrical hazards. Sometimes it is hard to see the structural damage to a building.
- Ensure that buildings have been inspected before entering them. Be aware of stray or wild animals and pests after an earthquake and take steps to
protect yourself. Children and adolescents should not participate in major or structural clean-up efforts.
When cleaning up, practice caution.
- Anyone with lung conditions such as asthma, or those who are immune-compromised, should not enter buildings with water leaks or mold. Wear full cover protective gear such has hard hats, heavy work gloves, steel toe boots, goggles and masks. Use appropriate masks (such as an N95 or respirator) when dealing with mold or debris.
- Always work with at least one other person when moving heavy debris. Remember to monitor how you are feeling and pace yourself with breaks and be careful if it is very hot or cold out. Follow safety CDC
tips for more strategies on how to clean up safely.
- If the power is out inside, use flashlights and not candles or matches due to risk of fire. Fuel burning equipment may cause Carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning if used indoors. Do not use these inside your home, basement, or garage, and keep at least 20ft distance from any home window, door, or vent. Use a battery operated CO detector for your home.
Explain to your children what is happening.
- It is important to talk with children about what happened and what you expect to happen in simple, direct terms. Explain that an earthquake is the movement of structures deep in the earth that can move the ground we stand on and can cause damage to any structures. Places that your children visit often, such as schools and playgrounds, may not look the way they did before the earthquake.
- Do not promise that buildings will be restored to the way they were before the earthquake, since that may not be the case. Sometimes buildings are repaired, other times torn down and rebuilt so they are safer from damage from earthquakes. Cleaning, repair and (if needed) rebuilding can take a long time. Be realistic about how long it will take.
Talk to your children about how they are feeling
- Start a conversation. Choosing not to talk, or avoiding discussion, about what happened makes the event more frightening for children. It suggests the earthquake and the feelings you have about it are too horrible to think or talk about. Children may then feel uncomfortable asking questions or talking about their feelings.
- Ask them directly how they are feeling and if they have any concerns or fears. Do not force them to respond; in general, it is best to wait until they are ready to talk. Be present emotionally and physically so children know you are ready to talk when they are. Provide honest reassurance and correct any misinformation.
- Consider how much to share, depending on their age, developmental level and coping style. Generally, older children want and benefit from more detailed information compared to younger children. Observe your child's cues about how much information to provide.
- Do not provide too many details or share graphic images or emotional media coverage. It may be beneficial to limit media exposure, or at least view or listen to it with them to provide reassurance and answer any questions.
- Help them to gradually feel safe again. Especially if there are aftershocks, children may worry about another or worse earthquake happening. They may be scared to return to their home or the same space they were in when the earthquake happened. Being in another acceptable space for a period of time until they feel safer, such as doing their homework for a few days at the kitchen table rather than their bedroom desk.
- Continue to focus on preparedness. Let them know that you don't expect there to be a worse earthquake in the near future. But remind them of what they know to do and how to keep safe if any earthquake does occur.
- Don’t tell kids they should not worry. Help them learn ways to cope with scary feelings rather than pretend they do not or should not exist.
Model how to cope with distress
- Share coping strategies that have worked for you in other difficult situations. You may describe talking with family or friends, journaling thoughts and feelings or expressing yourself through music, art or exercise to cope with with strong emotions. Helping others can also decrease a child's feelings of helplessness and powerlessness.|
- Make sure to be aware of how you are doing and take care of yourself. Children depend on adults around them for safety and security and may be more affected by your emotional state and actions than by your words.
Provide routine and structure for your children
- Try to set and keep predictable routines with children, such as regular times for meals, family time and bedtime. During earthquakes, a child's typical daytime routine may be disrupted for some time. Schools, childcare facilities, and play areas may be closed temporarily, damaged or unusable. Usual caregivers may not be available to return to schools or childcare facilities or busy with recovery efforts.
- When leaving children in someone else's care, be sure to let them know when you will return. But try to limit the amount of time you are separated from your children in general.
Help children grieve
- Help children
grieve if someone close to them died because of the earthquake. They may grieve both the loss of that person, but also the loss of everything that person had or would have had contributed to their life in the future. You can
download a free booklet with advice for parents and other caregivers on how to support grieving children.
- Remember that children also grieve other losses, such as the loss of their home or damage to frequently visited locations. They may also grieve about changes in their normal structure, routine and peer group. These changes and loss may be present for weeks or months afterwards.
Look for changes in behavior.
It’s common for children to have adjustment reactions after a disaster. These reactions can show up in different ways, including:
Trouble falling asleep, waking often at night, or difficulty getting up in the morning.
Increased or decreased appetite.
Difficulty concentrating or staying on task.
Anxiety, worries or fears, sadness or depression.
Use of alcohol, tobacco, or other substances.
Tiredness, body aches or other unexplained physical symptoms complaints.
Acting like a younger child (regression), such as a return of bedwetting or being more disruptive.
Contact your pediatrician or another professional if these reactions continue or worsen over time, or if affect their ability to learn and get along with other children, It is important to also note that most children experiencing distress after a disaster may not show any obvious change in behavior or appear upset, even if they are distressed.
Considerations for school
After a disaster, concentrating and learning can be difficult. Make sure your children receive appropriate support and help in learning at school. Talk with your children's teacher or school mental health professional about how to get support.
Editor's note: Sairam Kumar, MD, FAAP, David Schonfeld, MD, FAAP and Shana Godfred-Cato, DO, FAAP, contributed to this article.
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