How to Help Children in Extreme Weather: Expert Safety Guidance

Key actions:

• Prepare Go Bags with water, medicines, emergency contacts, and snacks

• Teach children never to enter flood water - even shallow depths are dangerous

• Keep children away from contaminated water, food, and damaged buildings

• Maintain strict hygiene after any flood water exposure

Before a flood: Preparation

1. Prepare family Go Bags

Involve children in preparing emergency supplies. This helps them feel capable rather than helpless.

Each child's Go Bag should include:

• At least 1 litre of clean drinking water per person per day (prepare for 3 days minimum)

• Non-perishable snacks children will actually eat

• Essential medications with clear dosage instructions

• Emergency contact card including out-of-area relatives

• Basic first aid supplies

• Comfort item like a favourite small toy

• Battery-powered torch and spare batteries

• Phone charger and power bank

For babies and toddlers, add formula and sterilized bottles (if not breastfeeding), nappies and wipes, and spare clothes.

Keep Go Bags near a safe exit, not in basements or garages where flood water might trap them.

2. Stay informed about flood risks

Check your area's flood risk using the Environment Agency's flood warning service. Register for free flood warnings to receive crucial advance notice.

During heavy rain periods, monitor Met Office weather warnings regularly. Keep phone power banks and battery-powered radios charged when flooding is forecast.

During a flood: Immediate safety

3. Seek shelter and evacuate when ordered

If evacuation is ordered, leave immediately. Move to higher ground without waiting to see if water levels rise. Never attempt to drive through flood water - most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Listen to local radio or check trusted online sources for evacuation routes and emergency shelter locations. Follow official guidance from local authorities.

4. Teach children to avoid standing, flowing, or rising water

Make this rule absolute: never walk, wade, or play in flood water.

Explain why using age-appropriate language:

• "The water looks calm but moves fast underneath and could knock you down"

• "There might be broken glass or open drains we can't see"

• "The water contains germs that could make you sick"

Drowning can occur in very shallow flowing water. Dangerous objects may be hidden under the surface. Water can carry bacteria, sewage, and create electrocution risks.

After a flood: Recovery and safety

5. Keep children clean and avoid contaminated food

Strict hygiene prevents illness:

• Wash hands thoroughly and frequently, especially before eating

• Shower or bathe after any exposure to flooded areas

• Watch for signs of skin irritation or infection

Throw away any food that contacted flood water, even if packaged. Discard anything from fridges or freezers that lost power for more than 4 hours. Don't let children eat food found in flood-affected areas.

6. Check buildings before children return

Before allowing children into flood-affected buildings, verify that power and water have been safely restored by qualified professionals. Check that no structural damage makes the building unsafe and that any mould growth has been professionally removed.

Do not let children enter damaged buildings, touch exposed wires, or handle cleaning chemicals.

7. Keep children safe during cleanup

Children should not remove heavy debris or handle contaminated materials. They can help with age-appropriate tasks like organizing donations, caring for younger siblings under supervision, or distributing sealed food and water packages.

8. Disinfect or throw out contaminated toys

Hard plastic toys can be disinfected with diluted bleach solution. Throw away soft toys, pillows, mattresses, or other porous items that contacted flood water - these cannot be adequately disinfected.

Key actions:

• Dress children in layers with head, neck, and hands covered

• Watch for signs of frostbite and hypothermia

• Keep children hydrated despite cold temperatures

• Use extreme caution around heating sources

Staying safe in cold weather

1. Stay indoors and wear layers when outside

During extremely cold weather, limit time outdoors. When children must go outside, dress them in several layers:

Base layer: Thermal underwear or close-fitting clothes Middle layer: Fleece or wool for insulation
Outer layer: Waterproof, windproof coat

Make sure their head, neck, and hands are covered. Babies and young children need one more layer than adults would wear in the same conditions.

Use mittens rather than gloves - fingers stay warmer when together. Ensure boots are waterproof and warm.

2. Play indoors during extreme cold

Plan indoor activities and games to keep children entertained during severe cold spells. Limit exposure to icy conditions, reduced visibility, and dangerous road conditions.

If children do go outside:

• Set time limits based on temperature and conditions

• Tell them to come inside immediately if they get wet or cold

• Watch them regularly and check in frequently

• Don't allow play on frozen ponds or lakes - ice can be deadly

3. Check in on warmth regularly

Before children head outside, remind them to come inside if they feel cold or wet. Keep watching them and checking in.

Reduced visibility and ice on the ground makes stopping difficult and falling very easy. Frostbite can develop quickly in extreme cold, especially on exposed skin.

4. Use sunscreen even in winter

Children and adults can get sunburned in winter when sun reflects off snow. Cover exposed areas with appropriate clothing and apply sunscreen (SPF 30+) to face and any other exposed skin.

5. Keep children hydrated

In dry winter air, children lose more water through their breath than they realize. Offer plenty of water throughout the day.

Try giving warm drinks like hot chocolate or soup to maintain hydration while keeping children warm.

6. Be careful near heat and fire sources

Stoves, heaters, fireplaces, and outdoor fires can be deadly, especially for small children who may not understand the danger.

Safety measures:

• Install protective barriers around heaters and fireplaces where possible

• Explain fire dangers clearly to children

• Never leave young children alone near heating sources

• Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly

• Ensure proper ventilation when using any heating device

Keep space heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that could burn, including curtains, furniture, and bedding.

7. Watch for danger signs

Hypothermia symptoms:

• Shivering (though babies may not shiver)

• Slurred speech or mumbling

• Slow, shallow breathing

• Weak pulse

• Unusual clumsiness or lack of coordination

• Drowsiness or very low energy

• Confusion or memory loss

Call 999 immediately if you suspect hypothermia. While waiting for help, move the child indoors, remove wet clothing, and warm them gradually with blankets.

Frostbite symptoms:

• Pale, grey, or blistered skin

• Skin that feels unusually firm or waxy

• Numbness in affected areas

• Most commonly affects fingers, toes, ears, and nose

If you think your child has frostbite:

• Bring them indoors immediately

• Put affected area in warm (not hot) water - test temperature with your elbow, aim for body temperature

• Don't rub or massage the area

• Don't use direct heat like radiators or fires

• Seek medical attention if numbness or discoloration persists

Key actions:

• Create evacuation plan and practice evacuation drills

• Use the 30/30 lightning rule: inside within 30 seconds of thunder

• Stay indoors on lower floors away from windows

• Don't go outside until official "all clear" is given

Preparing for storms

1. Talk to children about extreme weather events

Explain what could happen using simple, age-appropriate language. Discuss your local early warning systems and how you'll stay informed during severe weather.

Remind children that their safety is your biggest priority. Reassure them that you have a plan to keep everyone safe.

2. Prepare an emergency plan

Identify safe locations in your home:

• Interior rooms on lower floors

• Rooms without windows

• Bathrooms or closets with sturdy walls

Identify emergency shelters in your area and know the safest routes to reach them. Remember that bridges may be washed out and low-lying areas may be flooded during severe storms.

3. Prepare Go Bags

Get children to help prepare family Go Bags with essential items:

• Clean water (3 liters per person per day for 3 days)

• First aid kit and essential medicines

• Emergency contact information

• Non-perishable snacks

• Battery-powered torch, radio, and spare batteries

• Phone charger and power bank

• Waterproof bag for important documents

Keep Go Bags accessible and ready.

4. Practice evacuation drills

Practice at home and school so children can evacuate quickly and safely when needed. Plan and practice two ways out of your neighborhood in case one route is blocked.

Make the drills age-appropriate: younger children can practice gathering their Go Bag and moving to your safe room, while older children can understand evacuation routes and meeting points.

During a storm

5. Use the 30/30 lightning rule

If you hear thunder within 30 seconds of seeing lightning, go inside immediately and stay there.

Wait at least 30 minutes after hearing the last thunder before going back outside. Lightning can strike from storms up to 10 miles away.

6. Be prepared to evacuate

If evacuation is ordered, leave early to your designated shelter. Don't wait to see if the storm worsens.

If you must evacuate, wear protective clothing suited to your climate - waterproof layers, sturdy shoes, and clothes that cover arms and legs.

7. Get indoors and stay indoors

Once inside, follow these safety rules:

Stay on lower floors of your building, but not where flood waters could rise. Close storm shutters if you have them. Close and stay away from all windows and doors.

Do not:

• Use corded phones or electrical devices connected to walls

• Touch plumbing, metal pipes, or running water

• Stand near windows or doors

• Go outside to secure loose items

8. If stuck outside

If you cannot reach shelter:

• Avoid open fields, hilltops, or isolated trees

• Get away from water, metal objects, and tall structures

• If in a forest, find an area of shorter trees

• Seek shelter in a ditch or low-lying area to avoid flying debris

• Never shelter under trees or unstable structures

9. Don't go outside until it's safe

Monitor weather reports until severe weather has definitely passed. Stay where you are until you receive an official "all clear" message from local authorities.

Fallen trees, live electrical wires, burst sewage pipes, and other hazards can be dangerous for weeks after the initial damage. Don't let children play outside until authorities confirm it's safe.