Preparedness Tips for Teens
First cell phone. First car. First date. There are a lot of firsts that happen during your teen years. Some teens will also experience their first emergency—be it on the road, at home or in school. Arm your teen with the knowledge and preparedness skills they need to stay safe. Here are a few tips:
Prepare the Car
Your teen is now old enough to drive and often heads out on her own. Before she takes off, show your teen how to prepare a car safety kit. Teach her what to do if she breaks down or has an accident.
Prepare at Home
Does your teen know what to do if there’s a fire in the house? How would he get out of his room safely? Make a plan with your teen for emergencies like this. Teenagers can also help younger siblings in times of crises—so make sure your teen knows the family’s preparedness plan and can implement it.
Prepare at School
Teens spend a lot of time at school. If an emergency situation—such as a natural disaster—arises during the day, chances are your teen will be in school. Safeguard your teen, even while he’s at school, by making sure he knows the safety procedures his school has in place. Encourage your teen to keep a small emergency radio in his backpack or locker, so he’ll have access to information during an emergency.
Encourage your Teen to Help others be Prepared
Many schools have volunteer programs for students who want to help in emergency situations. If your teen is interested, encourage him or her to volunteer. If the school doesn’t have a program, your teen might be interested in starting a group.
Is your teen prepared? What about the rest of your family? Get even more preparedness tips for your whole family here on our blog!
Excellent article! Also consider setting up several ways to contact you in case their cell phone doesn’t work for some reason as well as an emergency meeting place.
Glad you benefitted from the article, Shane! Your suggestion is a great addition to the list.