Preparing Kids for Hurricanes

Let Kids Help With Pre-storm Preparations

Keeping them busy can help keep kids’ minds off of their worries. Helping prepare in ageappropriate ways also can increase a child’s sense of control over the situation.

To involve your kids

Hurricanes can be scary — for grown-ups and kids alike. Kids learn how to respond to situations based on the behaviors and attitudes of those around them.

Here are some tips to help them — and you — be ready during hurricane season.

Talk About Hurricanes

Kids might be confused about what a hurricane is, so use simple age-appropriate descriptions of what to expect if one is coming your way. For a younger child, you might say, “A hurricane is a tropical storm with very strong winds and lots of rain, lightning, and thunder.” It’s also important to tell kids that grown-ups will do their best to keep them safe.

Try to Remain Calm Yourself

Kids can easily sense the emotions of those around them. When a parent seems overly upset or worried, this can make a child’s own fears or worries worse.

Prepare a family disaster emergency kit. Kids can help collect canned goods and get flashlights ready.

Have your kids help bring outdoor items inside.

Discuss your family’s disaster plan together. Will you need to evacuate — and what would that look like? Which grown-ups will do what? This will help kids know what to expect.

During the Storm

Let kids pick a few comfort items, nonelectronic games, and toys in case of power outages.

Try to keep as normal a routine as possible. This can help children feel calm and safe.

Encourage kids to talk about their feelings or thoughts about what’s happening. Some kids might prefer not to talk right away — and that’s OK too. Spend time together and let them know that you’re there when they’re ready.

After the Storm

Pay attention to signs of stress, including nightmares, regressive behavior/acting younger than their age, and extra clinginess. These are common in children who’ve gone through a traumatic event. If you see any of these signs, talk to your doctor and know that trained counselors can help.

© 1995-2023. The Nemours Foundation/KidsHealth®. Reprinted with permission.

Basic Disaster Supplies Kit

To assemble your kit store items in airtight

A basic emergency supply kit could include the following recommended items:

• Water (one gallon per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation)

• Food (min. 3 day supply of shelf stable food)

• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert

• Flashlight with Extra batteries

• First aid kit

• Whistle (to signal for help)

• Plastic sheeting and duct tape

• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)

• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)

• Manual can opener (for food)

• Local maps

• Cell phone with chargers/backup battery

• Prescription medications

• Non-prescription medications such as pain relievers, anti-diarrhea medication, antacids or laxatives

• Infant formula, bottles, diapers and wipes

• Pet food and extra water for your pet

• Cash or traveler’s checks

• Important family document

• Sleeping bag or blanket for each person

• Complete change of clothing appropriate for your climate and sturdy shoes

• Fire extinguisher and matches in a waterproof container

• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils

• Paper and pencil

• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

• Soap, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes to disinfect surfaces

Staying Cool (and Organized) by the Pool!

BY AMY BERGMAN

Summertime in South Florida means hot and muggy mornings followed by torrential rainstorms in the afternoon. Our swimming pools become our refuge from the heat, and a way to keep the kids occupied outdoors before they are trapped inside to ride out the storms. This can make keeping your patio and pool area tidy a challenge. From noodles to floaties to rafts, there’s a lot to put away—and it’s important to keep it neat and tidy so the mess doesn’t become a summer nightmare. Whether you're storing towels, swimsuits, sunblock, toys, floats, or other pool equipment, here are 3 organizing solutions that will make pool time fun and easy to keep tidy.

1. Throw toys and equipment into a weatherproof storage bin/box. They have a large capacity and make clean up quick and easy. Pro tip: if storing small items like goggles, use a separate bin with a lid or Ziploc bag inside your bin. Here’s a list of some great storage bins/boxes. (https://www. thespruce.com/storage-ideas-for-pool-floats-andtoys-5121094)

2. Corral your towels. Giving your towels (wet or dry, dirty or clean), a place to live will solve so many problems! Use a PVC towel rack to hang wet towels or a basket to store the fresh ones. No matter what, all towel storage should be under a covered area or with the promise of bringing them inside each day. Bonus: use an extra plastic laundry basket for wet swimsuits---or even for those pool noodles!

3. Store floats out of the water on the porch/ patio, they will last longer. These can be big and cumbersome and take up a lot of room. Here are some ideas on how to do this:

• Secure them with nets. Use a cargo net and Command hooks to contain all those floats up off the floor. Here’s a large cargo net on Amazon. (https://a.co/d/8y2O51G)

• Hang them up outside. Build long hooks using PVC pipes and PVC elbows to hold more than one float. But, if you’d rather hang each one individually, use Kayak hangers. (https://a.co/d/hrPInPp ) They are wide enough to hold an inflated tube and easy to install on a fence or wall.

Tidying up after each swim session or pool party is the key to keeping things under control. Ask the kids to pitch in and help by making clean up a game. Offer them some cool rewards like popsicles or fun stickers or temporary tattoos for a job well done. By using some of these organizing tips, you will stay cool this summer your pool and patio area won’t become a hot mess!

Have an Amyzing summer, Amy

Amyzing Spaces provides professional organization for your home & office! Amy Bergman, a native Floridan, has always had a passion for organizing & simplifying things in life. She would love to help you make your space Amyzing!!! Check out her website at www. amyzingspaces.com, and you will see how she works with her clients to organize spaces in their homes & offices, creating systems that work for them so they can achieve more calm in their space and be even more productive & efficient with their time. You can also follow her on Facebook & Instagram. She posts excellent organizational tips and resources there as well. www.amyzingspaces. com/