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Hurricanes Katrina and Rita brought to light several emergency
preparedness issues, from crowded evacuation routes, to separated
families. It also emphasized the need to protect and prepare our
children in case of emergency, whether it is a hurricane evacuation
or school bus accident. Click here to read about how ID is an important
consideration in emergencies.
2000 children were separated from their parents in Katrina, some
too young or scared to communicate their emergency information turned
up in shelters across the country, others were later found with
loved ones. These youngest victims of the storm, were missing the
one tool that could have saved them the added trauma of being lost
from their parents, alone and afraid in a strange place and perhaps
even awaiting medical treatment. This one simple tool could reunite
them with parents quickly or literally save their lives if medical
treatment is needed – an emergency ID.
During hurricane Rita, Acting Director of FEMA, R. David Paulison
instructed parents to put an emergency ID on their children in case
they were lost or injured. Sadly, emergency ID for children, such
as Who’s Shoes ID, has not been readily available to the public
or even considered a vital safety tool until now.
A personal, emergency ID is the single most important thing you
can do to prepare your child for an emergency. An ID combined with
some simple preparation tips can give you added protection in any
emergency as well as piece of mind.
1. Children need to wear emergency ID.
All children (infants to 12) should wear up-to-date, discreet personal
ID at all times. You never know when an emergency may strike. Who’s
Shoes IDTM fits on the child’s shoe, or belt and so it is
ALWAYS with the child. It is the safety link between a child and
a parent. (Caution: necklace IDs are a choking hazard for children
3 and under)
2. Provide complete information on the IDs.
IDs should contain three to four emergency numbers: two parent or
guardian cell phones, a primary phone number of an in-town emergency
contact, and a primary phone number of an out-of-town emergency
contact. The last two numbers are in case you cannot be reached
due to downed cellular towers, injury, etc. Review these contacts
with your children, though they may not be able to provide their
names and numbers when asked, the will recognize the names when
repeated to them from the ID and will be comforted by a familiar
name. Any medical conditions or allergies should also be listed
on the ID, along with date of birth.
3. Designate emergency contacts/care providers.
Parents should designate one, in-town and one, out-of-town emergency
contact/care provider for their child. Parents should provide the
designated contact/care provider with a medical release form for
the child signed by the parents or guardians, allowing the emergency
contact/care provider can authorize medical treatment in the parents’
absence. Be sure to include the parents’ contact information,
copies of child’s medical history/records, insurance card,
physician’s name and contact numbers, etc. with the release
form.
4. Carry current photos of your child.
Parents should always carry current photos of their child in their
wallet. One close-up and one full body photo is ideal. Parents should
also carry a current ID card, such as the one provided in the Who’s
Shoes ID kit, with all the child’s vital statistics. The information
should be updated up every six months. Keep children’s fingerprints
and DNA samples in a safe, dry place in your home and bring them
with you if you need to evacuate.
5. Take a picture.
In an emergency situation, take a picture of your child with your
cell phone camera. It will be current (that day’s clothing,
hair cut, etc.) and easily available.
6. Play “What do I look like?”
If you have time and the child is old enough, play a game of “What
do I look like?” before you leave your home. Have your children
recite their parents’ names, describe what they look like
and what they are wearing. Parents take a careful look at what their
child is wearing that day too.
7. Instruct children to identify “Helpful Strangers.”
Instruct children to identify “Helpful Strangers” if
they are separated from their parents or in another emergency situation.
These strangers can assist a child when they need help. Mothers
with children and uniformed police are the best helpful strangers
and easiest for a small child to identify. Teach children to show
their ID to a “Helpful Stranger” in an emergency situation.
Teach them that their ID is their safety link between them and their
parents.
8. Talk with your child.
Explain what is happening and what you are planning to do. Explain
that the child and their safety are the most important thing and
that you, the parent, will do all you can to protect them, but that
it is a serious situation and you all need to be prepared.
These safety tips were provided by www.whosshoesid.com.
Mary Lynn Fernau, the inventor of Who’s Shoes ID, realized
the need for complete ID information when her son, while remembering
his home phone, had forgotten his parents’ cell phone numbers
when he sustained an injury at a friend’s house.
Education World®
Copyright © 2005 Education World
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