When kids are stuck inside on a rainy day, it can be impossible to find productive ways to entertain them. However, the home security-savvy parent might want to try some of these helpful exercises while he’s already stuck in the house. The key to kids practicing good protective and safety clothing is practice, practice, practice. For a child, the more times they hear information, the more likely it is to stick with it. The same goes for security routines. Every family should have an emergency plan, but sometimes it will be necessary to practice the plan so that the children understand it. Get started with some of these quick and easy exercises kids can do while waiting for rain.
Memorization. While it may not be fun to sit around memorizing facts like phone numbers and addresses, make a game out of it. Ask children to say, write, or dial important phone numbers, such as their home phone number or emergency 911, on a play phone. Take some time to help your child learn your home address, in case you need to call emergency services. Award prizes for a successful ‘dial’ and a statement of direction.
Technical leaks. Simple things can make a big difference for a child when it comes to surviving an emergency at home. One of those things is knowing how to escape in case of fire. Children should practice their escape route not by walking, but by crawling. Children think it’s fun and will be much more inclined to crawl under the smoke in the event of a fire. Do the routine of touching the doorknob to see if it is safe to leave a room. Also cover other home security emergencies, such as when the home alarm system is activated. Where should the children be? What should they do? This part of a family’s home security plan will vary greatly depending on the size of the family, the ages of the children, and the layout of the home.
Survival techniques in natural disasters. A family living in an area where a certain type of natural disaster is prominent should build safety measures into a child’s skill set from the start. Children in earthquake-prone areas should learn to drop and take cover under an appropriate object. In a non-threatening way, play “earthquake” and shout to the world as the kids find a good spot for cover. Offer children constructive criticism about their choice of a safe place. If the family lives in an area with tornadoes or hurricanes, have the children practice going down to the basement or the most stable area of the house. Be part of every family’s ’emergency kit’ complete with water bottles, non-perishable food, flashlights, a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, first aid supplies and more. Make it fun and spend at least half an hour in the hideout telling stories and munching on some ‘extra’ provisions like granola bars. This way, when the real thing happens, kids are less likely to panic and automatically head to the safe zone.