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Drills are a great way to teach your kids what to do in the event of an emergency. It is all very well telling your kids the right steps to take, but why not go a step further and show them.
Some of the drills on this list will be easier than others. Of course, no one likes thinking about their family being in a dangerous situation.
In the event of an emergency, it's important that everyone in the family knows what to do and where to go. That includes the kids, since an adult may not always be around to help.
The main aim of the drill is to teach your kids how to get out of the house if it’s on fire. Think about whether they might need to break a window or use a ladder to get down from a second-story room.
If you have very young kids, bear in mind that firefighters might look scary with all their gear. Expose them to images beforehand, so they're prepared.
Then, when they are least expecting it, start a drill to check their understanding. Make sure you address any misunderstandings or weaknesses that the drill may uncover.
Before doing the drill, show your kids some videos on tornado and storm safety, and make sure they know how to respond in the event of an earthquake.
The truth is that most people, even adults, do not know how to hit another person, even in their own defense. It has to do with the fact that we are generally taught that violence is never the answer.
Make sure that your children understand violence is acceptable in the context of self-defense. Find some self-defense classes for kids, so they can have a chance to practice.
Teach your kids that in the event of an accident, if there is an adult who can give them instructions, they should always comply.
If, however, there is no adult who can help, they should get out of the car if they can, making sure always to watch for other cars when leaving the vehicle.
For older children who are already in school, the run-hide-barricade-attack training response is always a good idea.
The active shooter drill is often the hardest one for parents. It's a lot to even just think about our kids being in that situation.
Nonetheless it is very important to teach your kids what gunfire sounds like, the difference between hiding and taking cover, and what to do if they are ever in that situation.
If your kids become aware that someone is trying to force their way into your home, they should leave via another door as quickly as possible and go to a trusted neighbor for assistance.
Practice these movements; muscle memory will help your kids in the event of a real emergency. Teach them, too, that if they can’t leave the house, they should hide and call 911.
Bear in mind that the aim of these drills is not to scare your kids or make them obsess over ‘what ifs.’ Instead, they are about equipping them with tools that could save their lives in an emergency.
Sources: (The Survival Mom)
See also: Teaching kids good manners: politeness in everyday life
While some of these drills might seem quite extreme, in fact, children are capable of handling more information at an earlier age than parents think or give them credit for.
Try to find a local CPR class for your kids to attend. If there isn’t one, talk to your children’s school about starting a course, or buy a home kit to teach them yourself.
It is also possible for kids to learn CPR and use it effectively. In fact, this is something that everyone should learn, but unfortunately not enough of us do.
It is also a good idea for kids to learn basic first aid. There are camps out there that teach young people how to do things like stop bleeding and splint a broken bone.
Finally, consider walking your kids through what they might do in social situations in which they feel pressured to do something they don’t want to do.
A lot of the time parents tell their kids not to drink, for example, but they don’t tell them, with actual words, how to say no if the situation does arise.
It is worth having a real-life, applicable discussion with your kids about how to react if they do find themselves being pressured to do something unsafe.
In lots of cases, kids are capable of taking on more information than we give them credit for. It is therefore worth teaching our children what to do in the event of an emergency. Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.
Emergency drills you should practice with your kids
How many of these have you done?
LIFESTYLE Safety
Every now and again, there is a story on the news about a kid who saved his mom or dad's life by dialing emergency services when they fell sick. While these stories may be heartwarming, it is worth remembering that those kids are not necessarily prodigies. In fact, they have likely been briefed on exactly what to do in such an emergency.
In lots of cases, kids are capable of taking on more information than we give them credit for. It is therefore worth teaching our children what to do in the event of an emergency. Curious? Check out this gallery to find out more.