A–Z Glossary

Emergency contact card

A portable card listing a child’s identity, medical information, emergency contacts, and location details for caregivers during an emergency.

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Emergency numbers kids should know

Emergency numbers kids should know

Why children should learn emergency numbers In an emergency, adults may be injured, confused, unconscious, absent, or unable to use a phone. A child who knows how to summon help can reduce delay during time-critical situations such as cardiac arrest, severe breathing difficulty in children, major bleeding, a serious allergic reaction, fire, or an immediate […]

Walking to school alone: readiness and safety planning

Walking to school alone: readiness and safety planning

Start with readiness, not a birthday Walking to school alone requires more than knowing the way. A child must sustain attention, inhibit impulses, interpret moving traffic, follow rules even when peers do not, and solve small problems without panicking. These executive function skills mature at different rates, so age is only a rough guide. Look […]

What children should do if they get lost in a public place

What children should do if they get lost in a public place

Prepare before leaving home Preparation is one of the most effective ways to reduce confusion. Before entering a crowded or unfamiliar place, caregivers should explain where the family will stay together, what to do if someone becomes separated, and which adults or locations can provide help. Use short, concrete instructions that match the child’s developmental […]

Practicing a family emergency drill without frightening children

Practicing a family emergency drill without frightening children

Start with the purpose: practice, not prediction Before scheduling a drill, explain that families practice safety plans in the same way they practice crossing a road or learning a fire-escape route. A child-friendly explanation might be: “We are going to practice how our family stays together and gets help. This is practice, and everyone is […]

Preparing children for severe weather warnings

Preparing children for severe weather warnings

Start with a calm, age-appropriate explanation Children often notice a warning before they understand it. A phone alert, emergency broadcast, darkening sky, or hurried adult conversation can trigger fear. Begin when everyone is calm, rather than waiting for an active warning. Explain that severe weather is a powerful change in the environment and that warnings […]