Teaching children what to do in an emergency

You could begin by having early conversations with your young child about the possibility of getting lost.  

Teach your child who they can trust if they get separated from you in a public place and how to identify ‘safe’ people, who could be: 

• parents with children  

• police officers  

• security officers  

Try practicing these tips with your child when you are out and about. You could ask which of the adults around you they would approach in such a situation.  

Explain that an emergency is when something happens that we do not expect, and we must act quickly to keep ourselves safe.  

Help your child tell between situations that need a parent or trusted adult and those that need police, medical, or firefighter services.   

This page from CBBC The different people who help us includes lots of information and a short video to help children understand.  

Break down emergency preparedness into simple steps for your child by: 

• practicing through fun games like role play.  

• making sure your child knows when and how to dial emergency numbers and what to say.   

• regularly practicing what to do in emergencies through drills. This will make the process familiar and less frightening for your child.  

• ensuring your child knows a nearby trustworthy neighbour they can turn to for help in an emergency. Having another responsible adult close by can be invaluable.  

Defibfinder have an up-to-date map giving information on where local defibrillators can be found. British Red Cross have valuable information about defibrillators and offer a free online CPR training course.   

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You could develop an easy-to-follow home safety plan with the whole family, so that everyone knows what to do in case of emergency such as:  

• fire safety  

• a medical emergency  

• burglar defence  

• natural disasters such as storms and flooding.  

Teaching your child about emergencies can feel difficult. By explaining when and where to seek help, you help them understand that they are protected and cared for.  

5 tips for talking to your child about their safety and wellbeing | Barnardo's (barnardos.org.uk)  

Emergency Preparedness Guide by the UK Government  

First aid kit NHS   

NHS When to call 999  

Why it is important to talk to children about emergency situations | UNICEF