Preparing Children

Children are not small adults. They process fear differently, need age-appropriate information, and can become remarkably capable when taught the right skills at the right time. Preparation builds confidence, not anxiety.

Children who practise stay calmer

Research consistently shows that children who participate in age-appropriate emergency drills respond better during real events. They panic less, follow instructions more readily, and can even help younger siblings. The goal is to empower, not frighten. Frame preparedness as a family project, not a scary topic.

Ages 3-5: Building foundations

What they can learn

  • Call 112: teach them that 112 is the number for help. Practise on a toy phone. Explain they should only call in a real emergency
  • Full name and parents' names: can they say "My name is Ana Silva and my mother is Maria Silva"?
  • Meeting point: a simple, visible place near home (the big tree, the letter box, the neighbour's door)
  • Stop, Drop and Roll: if clothes catch fire. Turn it into a game and practise on the carpet
  • Stay with a grown-up: in an emergency, hold a parent's hand or stay with a trusted adult

How to teach them

  • Stories and role play: use stuffed animals to act out simple emergency scenarios
  • Colouring and drawing: draw the family meeting point together
  • Songs and rhymes: "One-one-two, I know what to do" helps memorise the number
  • Keep it simple: short sessions of 5-10 minutes, not lectures
  • Positive language: "firefighters help us" instead of "fire is dangerous and you might die"
  • Repetition: revisit the same topics regularly. Young children learn through repetition

Ages 6-10: Building skills

What they can learn

  • Memorise home address and a parent's phone number: test them regularly without warning
  • Family emergency plan: know the meeting points (one near home, one further away), escape routes from each room, and the out-of-area contact person
  • Pack their own emergency bag: let them choose some items (comfort toy, torch, snack) alongside essentials
  • Basic first aid: how to clean a wound, apply a plaster, recognise when to call for help
  • Fire safety: how to use a fire extinguisher (supervised), crawl under smoke, feel doors before opening
  • Water safety: never swim alone, what to do if they fall in

How to teach them

  • Family drills as games: time the family fire escape. Who can get out fastest and reach the meeting point?
  • Scavenger hunts: find all the emergency exits in a building, locate the first aid kit at home
  • Emergency bag challenge: what would you take if you had 5 minutes? Discuss choices together
  • Age-appropriate books and videos: ANEPC has child-friendly materials in Portuguese
  • Visit a fire station: many Portuguese bombeiros offer school visits and open days
  • Answer questions honestly but without graphic detail. "Yes, earthquakes happen in Portugal, and that is why we practise"

Ages 11-15: Building responsibility

What they can learn

  • Full emergency plan knowledge: meeting points, contact numbers, insurance details location, important documents
  • Turn off utilities: show them how to shut off water, gas and electricity at the mains
  • Care for younger siblings: if parents are delayed, they should know the plan and be able to lead younger children to safety
  • First aid certification: the Portuguese Red Cross offers courses for teenagers
  • CPR basics: adolescents can learn hands-only CPR. See our CPR metronome
  • Radio communication: how to use the emergency radio and tune to RDP Antena 1
  • Helping neighbours: checking on elderly neighbours, carrying supplies, reporting hazards

How to teach them

  • Give real responsibilities: assign them a role in the family plan (e.g. "you are in charge of grabbing the pet carrier")
  • Involve them in planning: let them help design evacuation routes and update the emergency kit
  • Use real-world examples: discuss recent events (earthquakes, floods) factually, focusing on what people did right
  • Decision simulator: try our emergency scenario simulator together
  • Respect their maturity: teenagers respond better when treated as team members, not as children being instructed
  • Social media awareness: teach them to verify information during emergencies and avoid sharing unconfirmed rumours. See our misinformation guide

Speaking without anxiety

How to talk about emergencies without creating fear

  • Be calm and matter-of-fact: children mirror adult emotions. If you are calm, they will be calmer
  • Use age-appropriate language: "Sometimes the earth shakes a bit and we need to know what to do" rather than catastrophic descriptions
  • Focus on actions: "If there is a fire, we go out through the door and meet at the tree" gives them a clear task instead of a vague fear
  • Acknowledge feelings: "It is normal to feel a bit scared. That is why we practise, so we know exactly what to do"
  • Avoid "what if" spirals: answer real questions honestly, but do not invent worst-case scenarios
  • Reassure with facts: "Our building was built to be safe in earthquakes" or "Firefighters in Portugal are really good at their job"
  • Watch for signs of anxiety: sleep problems, clinginess, recurring questions about the same topic. If these persist, consider speaking with a child psychologist. See our mental health guide

The children's emergency card

A laminated card for every child

Create a credit-card-sized laminated card that each child carries in their school bag, pocket or around their neck during drills.

What to include

  • Child's full name and date of birth
  • Parents' names and mobile numbers
  • Home address
  • Out-of-area emergency contact (name and number)
  • Blood type (if known)
  • Allergies or medical conditions
  • Medications taken regularly
  • Family meeting point address

See our emergency card generator to create personalised cards for the whole family.

The children's emergency bag

Weight guidelines

  • Maximum weight: 10% of the child's body weight
  • A 25 kg child (age 6-7) should carry no more than 2.5 kg
  • A 40 kg child (age 10-11) should carry no more than 4 kg
  • Use a proper rucksack with padded straps, adjusted to fit
  • Let children pack it themselves (with guidance) so they know what is inside
  • Check our bag weight calculator

What to include

  • Water bottle (500 ml)
  • Energy bars or biscuits
  • Emergency card (laminated)
  • Small torch with extra battery
  • Whistle (to signal for help)
  • Comfort item (small toy, photo of family)
  • Warm layer or emergency blanket
  • Rain poncho
  • Notebook and pencil
  • Any essential medication

Family drills

Making practice fun and effective

  • Frequency: conduct a family drill at least every 3 months. Vary the scenario each time
  • Fire drill: practise escaping from bedrooms at night. Time it. Can everyone get out in under 2 minutes?
  • Earthquake drill: Drop, Cover and Hold On. Practise under tables and desks
  • Meeting point practice: everyone walks to the meeting point from different starting locations
  • Surprise element: call a drill without warning during a weekend. This tests real readiness
  • Debrief together: "What went well? What could we do better?" Children love giving feedback
  • Reward effort: a family treat after a drill reinforces positive associations with preparedness
  • Try our micro-drill guide for quick 5-minute exercises

Start today

You do not need to teach everything at once. Pick one age-appropriate skill this week and practise it with your children. Ask them what they already know. You may be surprised by how much they have absorbed from school and television. Build on that foundation, and make preparedness a normal part of family life, not a source of worry.