When Disaster Strikes - Who has your Kids?
- Jackie Kloosterboer
You are at work. Your kids are at school or daycare. Then something happens.
An earthquake
A wildfire
A major storm
Phones stop working properly. Roads close. Bridges may be damaged.
And your first thought is simple - How do I get to my kids? Are they safe?
Here is the reality.
You may not be able to get to them right away. It could take hours. In some cases, much longer. That is why this matters.
Your child’s safety in those first moments depends on what you have set up before anything happens.
1. Who Will Pick Up Your Kids If You Can’t?
Most schools and daycares require emergency contacts. But that is not enough.
Ask yourself:
Can those people actually get there in a disaster?
Do they live close enough?
Can they leave work quickly?
Do they know they are your backup?
A name on a form is not a plan.
What to do:
Choose at least two trusted adults
One nearby person who can respond quickly
One outside your immediate area
Talk to them and confirm they are willing and able
2. How Will You Know Your Kids Are Safe?
Communication is one of the biggest challenges during a disaster. We never know what will be available to us. Will phones work? Can we text? Will social media be accessible?
We simply do not know until it happens.
What we do know is this. The more options you have, the better your chances of connecting.
It may not be immediate. But as systems start to come back, you will have ways to reach each other. That is why having a simple, clear plan matters. This is where an out-of-area contact becomes important. This is one person outside your region who is not affected by the same event. They become your communication hub.
Instead of making multiple calls, everyone checks in with one person.
What to do:
Choose one out-of-area contact
Make sure all family members know who this person is
Ensure your child knows their name and phone number, if age appropriate
Share this contact with your school or daycare
3. Do You Know Your School-Daycare’s Emergency Plan?
Many parents assume the school-daycare will take care of everything.
Schools and daycares will do their best. But they operate differently.
Do you know:
When will children be released?
Who will they be released to?
What happens if no one can pick them up?
What to do:
Ask your school directly
Understand their emergency procedures
Know how long your child may be in their care
4. What Does Your Child Have With Them?
If your child needs to stay at school longer than expected, what do they have? Most kids have very little with them. A small addition can make a big difference.
What to do:
Create a simple emergency pouch for their backpack:
A snack
A small water bottle
A card with family contact information
A comfort item for younger children
This is not about fear. It is about helping your child feel safe and prepared.
5. Does Your Child Know What to Do?
This is often overlooked.
Even young children can understand simple instructions.
Stay with your teacher
Only leave with approved adults
Remember one key contact
What to do:
Have a simple, calm conversation.
Keep it age-appropriate.
Keep it clear.
Prepared kids feel more confident.
Final Thoughts
You do not need a perfect plan. But you do need a real one. Because when something happens, you will not have time to figure it out.
If You Need Help Getting Started
This is exactly what I help families do. Simple, practical plans that work in real life. Because preparedness is not just about having supplies.
It is about knowing your family is taken care of, even when you cannot be there.
Jackie Kloosterboer helps families and communities prepare for disasters with simple, practical plans that bring confidence and peace of mind.