National Safe Kids Week - Disaster Preparedness 

Release Date: April 29, 2002
Release Number: R10-02-42

» 2002 Region X News Releases

Seattle, WA -- Next week (May 4-11) is National Safe Kids Week. With the spring sports season in full swing, it's a good time to focus on child safety issues. This year's theme is "Use your Head, Wear a Helmet!" According to FEMA Regional Director John Pennington, it's also a good time to focus on family emergency preparedness plans, rehearse emergency actions with children, and replenish disaster kits.

"Children are particularly vulnerable when disaster strikes, and when it comes to raising the odds in their favor, there just isn't any substitute for pre-disaster mitigation and pre-disaster planning," said Pennington. "National Safe Kids Week is a great time to review and revise disaster preparedness plans, and teach children to recognize warning signals such as smoke detectors, fire alarms and local community warning systems."

Seattle-King County American Red Cross CEO Jim Hamilton concurs. "Helping children prepare for disasters should be an integral part of every family disaster plan, and be a focal point for youth activities and care providers," said Hamilton. "The American Red Cross offers a wide assortment of checklists and informative brochures, many co-published with FEMA, as well as some excellent core safety courses for adult supervisors and children."

"Kid friendly" disaster education material is available through the FEMA for Kids website, at: http://www.fema.gov/kids/. For more information on ARC sports safety and emergency first aid training programs call: (206) 323-3245 in King County, or contact your local ARC branch.

ATTENTION RADIO STATIONS:
Today's FEMA Radio Network features FEMA Regional Director John Pennington discussing:

To access/record quotes, dial 1-800-323-5248. Canadian stations can call 1-202-646-4365.

Last Modified: Friday, 18-May-2007 08:39:58