If you have school aged children, they’ve already become little preppers.  They practice responding to various emergencies, including fires and earthquakes (here in earthquake country!).  I’m of the frame of mind that my kids should enjoy their childhood absent of as many threats as possible.  It’s my job to protect them, but there will be times when even your small children may be separated from you.  They should be ready for something as simple as being lost at the zoo, to knowing what to do if they’re lost outside somewhere.

Kids have great memories and will retain the things you teach them.  So many times I’ve seen a little child lost, only to stand there crying until someone notices them.  Tell your small ones what to do, so they won’t panic.  Kids are very intuitive - if you tell them to be wary of adults, but in certain situations they may need to ask for help, they can make good decisions.  Review your plan in the car on the way, it only takes a few minutes.  Of course the goal is to never let your children out of your sight.  Things happen and the worst thing you could do is say it won’t happen to me.

Think about the areas around your community that a child could wander off to.  Is there water nearby?  Would spending the night exposed cause hypothermia?  There’s no need to frighten your small kids, but just little bits of trivia can help them if they become lost.  Water and shelter are priorities so stick with that and also a plan of how to get help.  Is it better for them to stay put and let adults find them, or try to walk to find help?  Only you can determine this depending on your surroundings.  If you vacation a lot, review these things for the area you’re traveling to.  Knowledge is power and kids don’t need to be helpless.

Kids are strong and resilient - give them the knowledge they can use to help themselves if the situation arises.