How to Protect Your Children From Earthquakes While They Sleep

Teach your child about earthquake safety to make her feel more secure should one occur.

There are approximately 20,000 earthquakes worldwide each year, according to the United States Geological Survey. No matter the magnitude, an earthquake is a frightening event, especially for children. A child left alone at night in her bed is vulnerable to injury from a bedroom that isn't designed for earthquake safety or because she's not prepared for how to act during the quake. Setting up a bedroom correctly and teaching your child earthquake safety will help protect her no matter what the time of day.

Things You'll Need

• Flashlight
• Shoes
• Plastic bag

Instructions

1. Place your child's bed away from the window. This will ensure that broken glass doesn't fall on her if the window breaks.

2. Avoid hanging any pictures, mirrors or shelving above or around your child's bed. During a quake, they could fall from the walls, causing injury.

3. Anchor heavy objects, such as televisions, dressers or bookcases, to the wall. This will ensure that these heavy objects don't fall on your child during an earthquake.

4. Set a flashlight and a pair of shoes inside a plastic bag. Attach or tie the bag to your child's bed. The flashlight will help her in the event of a power outage, while the shoes will protect her feet from any debris or broken glass.

5. Teach your child how to react in the event of an earthquake. She should drop to the floor next to her bed and cover her head with her hands; stay in bed and cover her head with a pillow; or run to the nearest doorway. She should then wait for you to come to her; she shouldn't attempt to walk down the stairs in case she falls. Map out an escape route and teach your child about a safe meeting place in an open area, such as on the sidewalk, the front yard or in a neighbor's yard.

6. Write down the instructions and post them inside your child's bedroom. Run down the instructions at least once a week in order to keep her well-versed in what to do. Include a map that shows her where the family's meeting place is after an earthquake has occurred.

Tips & Warnings

• Teach your older children how to dial 9-1-1 and how to shut off the gas, electricity and water.

References

• North American Emergency Management: Home Earthquake Information
• The National Terror Alert Response Center: Earthquake Preparedness -- What to Do Before, During and After an Earthquake; April 2008
• United States Geological Survey: What Should I Do During an EQ?
• United States Geological Survey: Earthquake Facts and Statistics