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Protect your children from disasters! Prepare for disasters together as a family
September 1st is Disaster Prevention Day, a day to deepen awareness of disaster prevention. Around this time, disaster prevention corners are set up in supermarkets and home improvement stores, and naturally, many people become more aware of disaster prevention.
However, in households with small children, there are probably many who feel anxious and wonder, "Is my home really properly prepared for disasters?"
In preparation for the unlikely event of a disaster, it is important to stock up on disaster preparedness supplies and to teach children the importance of disaster preparedness. Disaster preparedness can seem difficult, but parents and children can learn about and prepare for disasters by working together.
Why not use Disaster Prevention Day as an opportunity to start preparing for disasters little by little?
What is Disaster Prevention Day?
Disaster Prevention Day originates from September 1, 1923, the day the Great Kanto Earthquake occurred.
This day is considered a day to review preparations for disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons. September 1st was chosen in part to prepare for typhoons, which tend to occur at the end of summer. This day is also a time when the national and local governments hold disaster prevention drills, making it an opportunity for each of us to think about disasters and make preparations.
Prepare for disasters together as a family and teach your children the importance of disaster prevention
Disaster Prevention Day is the perfect time to start preparing for disasters on a daily basis. It is especially important for families with small children to be well prepared in case of an emergency. It is also essential to explain the importance of disaster prevention to children before a disaster occurs.
In the event of a disaster, it is a good idea to decide on roles and confirm evacuation locations in advance so that everyone in the family can act with peace of mind. Also, teaching children about the importance of disaster prevention will help them develop the ability to respond calmly in an emergency.
In this article, we will explain the following three points in detail.
・Checklist of basic disaster prevention items and disaster prevention items to protect children
・Creating rules for emergencies
- How to teach children about disaster prevention
Let's learn about disaster prevention together as parents and children and be well prepared!
Protect your young children! Disaster preparedness supplies checklist
For households with small children, regular disaster preparedness supplies may not be enough.
Here is a checklist of disaster preparedness supplies established by the Prime Minister's Office. In addition to basic emergency evacuation bags, it includes disaster preparedness supplies for families with small children and other convenient stockpiles to keep at home.
| Basic emergency bag |
|---|
| □ Water □ Food (at least 3 days' worth per person □ Disaster prevention helmet, disaster prevention hood □ Clothing, underwear □ Rainwear □ Lace-less canvas shoes □ Flashlight (hand-crank type recommended) □ Pocket radio (hand-crank type recommended) □ Spare batteries, mobile phone charger □ Matches, candles □ First aid kit □ Disposable hand warmers □ Blanket □ Work gloves □ Toiletries □ Toothbrush, toothpaste □ Towel □ Pen, notebook □ Sanitary products □ Infectious disease prevention products (masks, alcohol, wet wipes, etc.) □ Valuables (wallet, bankbook, ID card, etc.) ┗ Keep it together with your emergency bag so you can take it with you. |
| Preparations for families with small children |
|---|
| □ Milk□ Disposable baby bottle□ Baby food□ Portable cutlery□ Diapers□ Portable baby washers□ Neck lights□ Baby carriers□ Children's shoes |
| Stockpiles |
|---|
| □ Food and water (at least three days' worth per person) □ Tissues □ Toilet paper □ Plastic wrap □ Garbage bags □ Plastic containers □ Portable toilets |
Source: Prime Minister's Office website "Disaster Preparedness Checklist"
Using the above list as a base, you can add items that are necessary for your household and remove items that seem unnecessary.
Important points about disaster prevention items to protect small children
Here are some key points about disaster preparedness items for families with small children.
For babies, you need to stock up on food according to their age.
As babies grow, their diaper size and diet changes, so it's important to regularly review your supplies. For example, adjust your diaper stock to match your baby's current size, and stock up on milk and baby food appropriate for each baby's age. We recommend adopting the rolling stock method, buying a little more than usual and updating your supplies with newer ones.
Stock up on milk even if you are breastfeeding
If you are breastfeeding, stress and anxiety during a disaster can make it difficult to produce breast milk. Also, if you are formula-feeding, there may be a shortage of hot water during a disaster, making it impossible to use powdered milk.
Whether you are breastfeeding or formula-feeding, we recommend that you prepare liquid formula in case of a disaster. Liquid formula is convenient in emergencies because it can be fed as is without the need for hot water.
For children's mental health care
During a disaster, it is extremely important to take care of your children's mental health. Long periods of evacuation and waiting in unfamiliar places can be very stressful for children. To help children maintain a life as close to normal as possible, it is a good idea to stock up on quiet toys, comforting picture books, and their favorite snacks.
Store childcare items in a baby carrier or other container on a daily basis.
During a disaster, every second counts, and you may not have time to take out the disaster prevention supplies you have prepared.
For this reason, it is a good idea to use a baby carrier with built-in storage space to store baby supplies such as diapers and wipes. In the unlikely event of a disaster, it will be easier to carry the bare minimum of baby supplies.
It is also recommended to choose a baby carrier with lots of storage pockets in preparation for disasters. It is convenient for everyday use and can be a valuable disaster prevention tool in an emergency. It is important to raise disaster prevention awareness within a reasonable range in your daily life.
"POMULU" - a convenient childcare item for disaster preparedness
We have received feedback that the shoulder bag-style 2-way hip seat "POMULU" is also useful as a disaster prevention item!
POMULU has ample storage space, allowing you to store all your essentials, including childcare items, wallets, smartphones, etc. Even though it's a hip seat, it can still hold this much luggage.
If you place it in a conspicuous place in the entrance or living room, you can quickly grab it in an emergency when every second counts. It's also convenient as a hip seat, allowing you to safely evacuate while holding your child in an emergency. It also helps manage your child's anxiety by allowing you to hold them at eye level with your partner.
We have also received words of gratitude from users who have actually been affected by disasters, saying, "POMULU saved me."
Be sure to check out "POMULU," which can be used for everyday use and also as a disaster preparedness bag in emergencies.
Decide on rules for emergencies
When a disaster occurs, small children may not know what to do and may panic. However, by clearly defining disaster rules and repeatedly teaching them to children, they will be able to act calmly in an emergency. Here we will introduce the key points of disaster prevention rules according to age.
Disaster prevention rules for small children
For children under elementary school age, we recommend starting with things they can do at home. Teach your children how to protect themselves in the event of an earthquake.
-Hide under a table
When an earthquake occurs, it is important to quickly evacuate to a safe place. It is a good idea to practice hiding under a table or sturdy furniture beforehand.
・Teach them places they should not go near
Loose furniture and areas near large windows are dangerous during an earthquake. Teach your children not to go near such places. It is also a good idea to secure furniture with earthquake-resistant materials whenever possible.
Disaster prevention rules for elementary school children and older
Once your child reaches elementary school age, you need to think about the possibility of disasters occurring not only inside the home but also when you are out. It is a good idea to set rules for when you go out in addition to rules for when you are at home.
・Teach them how to check on their safety
During a disaster, mobile phones may not be usable. Therefore, it is important to teach your family in advance how to check on each other's safety using disaster message dials, social media, LINE, etc. It is reassuring to know with your entire family how to contact each other in an emergency. Check the following page for more details!
Fire and Disaster Prevention Museum "Methods of communication to check on safety"
https://www.bousaihaku.com/survival/prepare/home/home04/
Decide on a place for your family to meet
Decide on a meeting place where the whole family can gather, assuming that in the event of a disaster, your family may be separated. If you know where to go, you can act with peace of mind even if it is difficult for you to return home from school or work.
・Tell people where to evacuate
Let them know in advance the nearest evacuation site from their home and the evacuation site along their school or work route. By knowing the evacuation route, you can evacuate safely in an emergency.
Teach your children about disaster prevention
Let's create an opportunity for parents and children to think about disaster prevention together by incorporating fun learning methods. Here are some ways that children can learn about disaster prevention in a fun way.
Reading picture books and picture stories about disaster prevention
Reading picture books about disaster prevention aloud is a fun way to learn about what to do in the event of a disaster. Here are some free content that you can download and print to make it easy to get started.
・Kasugai City: "Disaster Prevention Picture Books and Kamishibai for Children"
https://www.city.kasugai.lg.jp/kurashi/bosai/1025983/1025988/1004163.html
・Kawasaki City "Children's Disaster Prevention Picture Book: A Request from the Great Scene"
https://www.city.kawasaki.jp/601/page/0000099815.html
・Nagano City "Disaster Prevention Kamishibai and Picture Book"
https://www.city.nagano.nagano.jp/n024000/contents/p000070.html
Have fun learning with quizzes
We also recommend quiz-style games that allow you to learn about disaster prevention in a game-like format. Here are some recommended quiz games and videos.
・Tokyo Fire Department "Kids' Corner" "Everyone's Disaster Prevention Quiz"
https://www.tfd.metro.tokyo.lg.jp/kids/bquiz/index.html
・Kokumin Kyosai Coop "Disaster Prevention Quiz for Parents and Children"
https://www.zenrosai.coop/stories/bousai/cafe/quiz.html
・[Can be used in daycare centers and kindergartens!] Disaster Prevention True or False Quiz for Children [Bodybuilding x Red Cross Ishikawa]
https://youtu.be/u3JwznpC3TY?si=Hfn1xua3dafFO5_5
Let's do disaster prevention drills with your family
In order to fully acquire disaster prevention knowledge, it is important to actually take action. So why not try disaster prevention training with your family? By creating a scenario and actually acting it out, children will also gain a deeper understanding.
For example, you can practice how to protect yourself at home, actually move to an evacuation shelter, practice contacting others, etc. Furthermore, by simulating how to spend time at an evacuation shelter at home, you can learn specifically what to do in the event of a disaster.
While having fun with your children, make sure that the whole family is prepared for disasters. These efforts will come in handy when an emergency occurs.
Let's start disaster prevention measures that parents and children can take together
In honor of Disaster Prevention Day, we introduced disaster prevention items to protect children, rules to set in the event of a disaster, and ways to teach children about disaster prevention.
Taking part in disaster prevention measures together as a family can also be an opportunity to deepen family bonds. Start doing what you can little by little today to prepare for the unlikely event of a disaster. Let's start preparing together now so that the whole family can live in peace.
reference:
Mama's Life "What is Disaster Prevention Day? How to explain it to children and what disaster prevention items to prepare"
Smile Club "Disaster Prevention Measures for Families with Babies"
