Emergency Preparedness: Know What to Do

WHAT IS AN EMERGENCY?

An emergency is a situation where someone may be in danger or where immediate help may be needed.

Emergencies can happen unexpectedly. For example, there might be:

• Fire or smoke.
• A serious accident.
• Severe weather.
• A dangerous electrical situation.
• Another situation where a responsible adult tells you that you need to move to safety.

You do not need to investigate what is happening.

Your job is to notice, stay safe and get help from a responsible adult.

STAY CALM

When something unexpected happens:

1. Stop what you are doing.
2. Take a breath.
3. Listen carefully.
4. Follow instructions.

You might feel worried, surprised or confused. That is okay.

Staying calm can help you listen and make a safer choice.

Remember: Do not panic or run without knowing where to go.

GET TO A SAFE PLACE

If a responsible adult tells you to move to safety:

• Move away from the danger.
• Follow the responsible adult’s instructions.
• Use the planned safe route when one has been identified.
• Stay with the group when you are instructed to do so.
• Do not go back toward the danger.

You do not need to work out the emergency yourself.

Get safe first.

TELL A RESPONSIBLE ADULT

Tell a responsible adult when something may be unsafe.

A responsible adult could be:

• A parent.
• A teacher.
• A caregiver.
• Another trusted adult who is responsible for your safety.

Clearly tell the adult what you noticed.

For example:

“I noticed something unsafe. Can you help me?”

Stay with the adult unless they tell you to do something different.

Asking for help is a safe and responsible choice.

KNOW YOUR FAMILY’S PLAN

Families can prepare before an emergency happens.

Ask a parent or caregiver to help you learn:

• Where your family goes if everyone needs to leave home.
• Where your family can meet.
• Which adults you should contact.
• Which safe route adults have identified.

Listen during family safety conversations and practice calmly when adults organise a drill or practice.

Adults make and manage the emergency plan. Children learn the plan and follow instructions.

KNOW YOUR SCHOOL’S PLAN

Schools have plans to help keep students safe.

At school:

• Listen to teachers and school staff.
• Know where your class is expected to go during an emergency.
• Follow instructions.
• Stay with your class or group.
• Do not leave the designated safe area unless a responsible adult gives you permission.

You do not need to figure out the school’s emergency plan by yourself.

Listen, stay together and follow instructions.

EMERGENCY EXITS AND SAFE MEETING PLACES

Emergency exits provide a planned way to leave a place when adults tell you it is time to move to safety.

Families and schools may also have designated meeting places.

Ask a responsible adult to show you:

• Which exits you may need to know.
• Where your family or class may meet.
• Which route adults have identified as safe.

Emergency exits should remain accessible.

Do not inspect, repair, move or clear a blocked exit yourself. Tell a responsible adult.

DON’T INVESTIGATE

When something dangerous or unusual happens, you might feel curious.

But curiosity should not take you closer to danger.

Do not:

• Go closer to see what happened.
• Touch dangerous objects.
• Try to fix something.
• Enter a damaged or unsafe area.
• Follow other children toward danger.

Instead:

Move to safety and tell a responsible adult.

DON’T TRY TO RESCUE SOMEONE YOURSELF

Helping someone does not mean putting yourself in danger.

Children should not attempt dangerous rescues.

Do not enter:

• Fire.
• Floodwater.
• Dangerous electrical areas.
• Damaged structures.
• Other unsafe areas.

Get a responsible adult immediately.

Follow instructions from responsible adults or trained responders.

You can help by getting the right help — you do not have to become the rescuer.

EMERGENCY CONTACTS

It is useful to know which responsible adults you can contact when you need help.

Ask a parent, caregiver or teacher to help you learn important emergency contact information.

Remember:

• Know the responsible adults who can help you.
• Know how adults want you to ask for help.
• Tell an adult clearly when you notice an emergency or unsafe situation.
• If emergency services are needed, follow the instructions of the responsible adult.

Important: Emergency contact numbers and India-specific emergency procedures should be taught only after they have been checked against current authoritative sources.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AT HOME

Being prepared does not mean expecting something bad to happen.

It means knowing what to do if an unexpected situation occurs.

At home:

• Know your family’s safe meeting place.
• Know how to leave safely when an adult tells you to.
• Know where adults keep important emergency information.
• Listen during family safety discussions.
• Take part calmly when adults organise safety practice or drills.

Children should not independently handle emergency equipment.

Prepare with adults. Follow the plan. Stay safe.

IF YOU ARE SEPARATED FROM YOUR ADULT

Sometimes you may become separated from a parent, caregiver, teacher or another responsible adult.

If this happens:

• Stay in a safe, visible place.
• Do not wander into dangerous areas looking for the adult.
• Ask a trusted adult or appropriate helper for assistance.
• Follow instructions from responsible adults.

Remember that asking for help is a safe choice.

Stay safe, stay where you can be seen, and get appropriate adult help.

REMEMBER

STOP

Stop what you are doing.

STAY CALM

Take a breath and listen.

GET SAFE

Move away from danger and follow instructions.

TELL A RESPONSIBLE ADULT

Tell an adult what you noticed and ask for help.

STOP → STAY CALM → GET SAFE → TELL A RESPONSIBLE ADULT

ASK YOURSELF

1. Why is staying calm helpful during an unexpected emergency?
2. If you notice something dangerous, should you go closer to investigate? Why or why not?
3. Who are some responsible adults you could ask for help at home or at school?
4. Why is it useful to know your family’s or school’s safe meeting place before an emergency happens?

PARENT / TEACHER TIP

Help the child learn the emergency arrangements that apply to their own home or school.

Together, identify:

• The family’s or school’s safe meeting place.
• The responsible adults the child should seek out.
• The appropriate emergency plan and safe route identified by adults.

Keep conversations calm and reassuring. Explain that emergency preparedness is about knowing what to do, not being frightened about what might happen.

Practice appropriate plans calmly rather than creating frightening scenarios.

Children should not be expected to manage emergencies independently or perform dangerous rescues, repairs or emergency-equipment tasks.