ReadyMontco: Stress & Anxiety

Montgomery County, PA

P.O. Box 311, Norristown, PA 19404-0311
Courthouse Hours: 8:30a.m. to 4:15p.m.
Phone: 610-278-3000
Website: www.montcopa.org

Stress & Anxiety Information
Emergencies can happen anytime and without warning. These events can be frightening for adults, but they are traumatic for children if they don't know what to do. During an emergency, your family may have to leave your home and daily routine. Children may become anxious, confused, or frightened. It is important to give children guidance that will help them reduce their fears.

 

Prepare For Emergencies

  • You can create an Emergency Plan with your family and practice it so that everyone will remember what to do when emergencies happen.
  • Pack child care supplies as well as games and small toys in your family’s Go Bag and Shelter in Place kit (Get A Kit).
  • Find out what your child’s school does in the event of an emergency and know the school’s emergency plans.
  • Find out where you can pick up your child during an evacuation.
  • Ensure that the school has up-to-date contact information for you and at least one other relative or friend.
  • Find out if you can authorize a friend or relative to pick up your children in an emergency if you cannot.

Everyone Should Know:

  • How to recognize danger signals. Make sure your child knows what smoke alarms, fire alarms and local community warning systems (horns, sirens) sound like.
  • How to call for help.
    • Teach your child how and when to call for help.
    • Check the telephone directory for local emergency phone numbers and post these phone numbers by all telephones.
    • If you live in a 9-1-1 service area, tell your child to call 9-1-1.
    • Even very young children can be taught how and when to call for emergency assistance.  (source:  www.redcross.org)
  • Family contact information for use in an emergency.
  • Never to touch wires lying on the ground or hanging from poles.
  • How to identify the smell of gas. Tell them that if they smell it, they should tell a grown-up or leave the building.
Fact sheets and tips for handling a disaster: