Being Prepared for the Big One!
Earthquake Preparedness for the Primary Grades
Instructions:
1. Parents read “Earthquakes: Be Ready” PDF document that is attached
2. Talk about earthquakes and other disasters that might happen in your area over a few days using the 6 questions as your guide. Choose two assignments for you children and have them complete them and send them to your teacher as an activating assignment for Health and Career Ed.
Question 1: Do I know what an earthquake (or other disaster) might be like?
- Watch some youtube videos that depict an earthquake and talk about the feelings that one might have during an earthquake. Have children act out what it might feel like or look like during an earthquake.
Question 2: Do I know how to protect myself during an earthquake?
- Have children draw pictures of safe places to be during an earthquake. Have them draw pictures of places not to be and draw big red xs over them. Make these into a poster with the proper headings.
- Make up a family emergency earthquake drill and practice it. Have them write what they are to do in their own words.
Question 3: Do I know what to do when the motion stops?
- Talk about and act out what they would do if a sibling were hurt or if they found a parent hurt.
- Make up an emergency supply list and perhaps go out and shop for it.
Question 4: Do I know how I’ll contact family members if we’re separated when the earthquake strikes?
- As a family talk about emergency contacts and meeting places. Make sure you include dad! If appropriate, mark it on a map or draw your own, marking where the meeting place is and where everyone might be located (dad at work, children at Gramma’s etc.)
Question 5: Do I have emergency survival kits in my home, car and work place?
- Discuss with children what is needed to survive for 72 hours without water or power. Make a list of things that you have already and things you may need to purchase.
Question 6: Have I taken measures to make my home safer and protect my property from a possible earthquake?
- Make a list of the things that can be done in the child’s own room to make them more safe in the event of an earthquake.
Other Risks in your area:
- Flooding
- Weather Events
- Wildland Fires
- Tsunamis
- Earthquakes
- Backcountry Accidents
- Wildlife Interface
- Disease Outbreaks
- Landslides
- Avalanches
- HAZMAT and Spills
- Volcanoes
- Drought
Decide which of these your family needs to know about and plan for! Go to http://www.getprepared.gc.ca/index-eng.aspx for more information