Activity: Preparing for Emergencies

Learn and practice preparedness skills that will help you meet your own basic needs and help others in an emergency.

Talk with the children about the different types of emergencies that might be likely in your area, such as house fires, wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or floods. Be careful not to frighten the children; remember, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (Doctrine and Covenants 38:30).

As a group, act out how to react to different emergencies. For example:

• Have the children lie down and pretend to be asleep. One of the leaders or children says, “Fire alarm!” All the children get up and act out what they would do to get out of their home: walk, don’t run; don’t take any belongings; crawl on the floor if there is smoke; meet up with family outside.
• Have the children sit in chairs and pretend to be at school. One of the leaders or children says, “Earthquake!” or “Tornado!” All the children act out local emergency procedures: find a safe place; stay with your teachers; stay at school until parents come.
• Have the children pretend to be playing at home. One of the leaders or children says, “Evacuate in five minutes!” Children follow basic emergency practices: stay calm; get emergency kit or supplies (see adaptation); put on shoes; meet family outside.

Send the children home with a list of questions to help their family prepare for different kinds of emergencies. For example:

• How will we communicate if we are not all together?
• Where will we go if our home is damaged or destroyed?
• Where are our designated meeting places? Where will we meet if separated?
• What food and water do we have if we are able to stay in our home?
• Where do we keep our emergency kits or supplies?
• Do we need to update or get new emergency kits or supplies?

Please adapt activities as necessary to ensure all individuals are able to participate, belong, and contribute.

• Many emergencies require families to evacuate or leave their homes. Ask the children to list what they might need if they had to leave their homes in a hurry. Teach how to assemble an emergency kit. If possible, bring in an emergency kit and explain why different items are included and how they are used.
• In some emergencies, families can stay in their homes but may not have electricity, gas, or running water. As a group, cook a simple dish using only utensils, appliances, and food storage items that would be available during this kind of emergency. (Please adjust for any food allergies.)
• Teach the children how to make a simple shelter out of a tarp or blanket and rope. Teach them how to tie different knots that will secure the rope.
• Service idea: Using the list of emergency questions received during this activity, invite the children to volunteer to help in a family discussion about creating or practicing a family emergency evacuation plan. The children might share something they learned about emergency preparedness. For example: What can we do to quickly get out of our home if there is a fire?

Encourage children to talk about how what they are learning can help them and others grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Discussions can take place before, during, or after the activity and should last just a few minutes. You could ask questions like the following:

• Why do you think prophets have taught us to prepare for emergencies?
• How can following Jesus Christ help us prepare for and deal with emergencies?

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