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Children and Youth Preparedness Social Media Toolkit

How to Use this Toolkit

What to Know

Hashtags

Social Media Posts

The Children and Youth Preparedness Toolkit has safety and preparedness messages you can share on your social media channels. You can either copy these messages directly or customize them to reach your audience.

How to Use this Toolkit

The Children and Youth Preparedness Toolkit has safety and preparedness messages you can share on your social media channels. You can either copy these messages directly or customize them to reach your audience.

What should you know?

  • Include children in preparedness conversations.
  • Learn the building blocks of preparedness − Be Informed, Make a Plan, Build a Kit and Get Involved.
  • Know the emergency plan for your child’s school and child care facility.
  • Make sure children have emergency contacts memorized or written down in a secure place.
  • Learn different ways to help children cope during and after an emergency.
  • Practice evacuation plans and other emergency procedures with children on a regular basis.
  • Teach kids when and how to call important phone numbers like 911.

Recommended Hashtags

  • #YouthPrep
  • #ReadyKids
  • #BackToSchool

Social Media Posts

This content is less than 280 characters and can be used on various social media channels. We recommend personalizing and tailoring these posts for your social media followers. You can combine different posts, add specific ideas, tell your own story or add emojis to make the posts engaging.

Communications

  • Teach your child how to dial 911 BEFORE an emergency #YouthPrep
  • Make sure everyone, including children, knows how and when to call 911 for help #YouthPrep
  • Make sure all family members know how to send a text message in case of an emergency #YouthPrep
  • Who’s your emergency contact? Make sure the kids know who it is and practice with them #ReadyKids
  • Practice how to communicate in an emergency with kids. Find ways here: https://www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan #YouthPrep
  • Update school records and discuss emergency contact numbers with kids before they go: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/34330 #BackToSchool #YouthPrep
  • When the kids go #BacktoSchool update your family communication plan: https://www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan #YouthPrep
  • Make sure you can get updates from your kids' school in an emergency. Add school social media and contact info to your family communication plan: https://www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan #YouthPrep
  • Download @SavetheChildren In Case of Emergency cards to connect with loved ones in an emergency: https://www.savethechildren.org/content/dam/usa/reports/emergency-prep/emergency-contact-cards.pdf #YouthPrep
  • Review your family emergency communication plan with kids during your next household meeting. #YouthPrep
  • Spread the #YouthPrep message to friends & family! Be sure your family has an emergency communications plan: https://www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan
  • Kids, parents & educators: the #ReadyKids tips and resources are also available in Spanish! Visit www.ready.gov/es/ninos #YouthPrep

Emergency Supply Kit

  • Include your child's medication and supplies in your family’s emergency kit. For more tips, visit ready.gov/kit #YouthPrep
  • Include your child's favorite stuffed animals, board games, books or music in your family’s emergency kit to comfort them in a disaster #YouthPrep
  • Get kids involved in building their own emergency kit! Make it a family activity or part of a game and explain how the kit will help them. More tips: www.ready.gov/kids/build-a-kit #YouthPrep
  • Kids bored? We can help. Check out our online #ReadyKids Build A Kit game: https://www.ready.gov/kids/games #YouthPrep
  • Kids bored? We can help. Check out our online #ReadyKids Build A Kit game: https://www.ready.gov/kids/games #YouthPrep

Coping with Disaster

  • For more information & resources about ways to help children cope during a disaster by visiting: www.fema.gov/children-and-disasters #YouthPrep
  • Emergencies can leave kids feeling insecure. Help kids cope during & after emergencies: www.ready.gov/kids/parents/coping #YouthPrep
  • Help children cope after a disaster by being calm and reassuring. Discuss plans for safety: https://www.ready.gov/kids/parents/coping #YouthPrep
  • Help kids cope after disasters by shutting off the TV. Young kids may think the event is reoccurring: https://www.ready.gov/kids/parents/coping #YouthPrep
  • Help kids cope after disasters by monitoring how much news coverage they watch. Young kids may think the event is reoccurring. #YouthPrep
  • Finding support from friends, family, and community organizations can help kids cope with #disasters. #YouthPrep
  • Help your child cope during an emergency by being alert for significant changes in their behavior #YouthPrep
  • Talk with your child about their school’s emergency drills. #YouthPrep https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Actions-Schools-Are-Taking-to-Make-Themselves-Safer.aspx

Parents

  • Need tips for talking to your kids about natural disasters? Visit www.ready.gov/kids/parents #YouthPrep
  • Kids home today? Play #ReadyKids online emergency preparedness games: https://www.ready.gov/kids/games #YouthPrep
  • Store digital copies of important family documents online with password protection. Make sure you can access documents with your phone or a computer, no matter where you are. Keep hard copies in a secure place. #YouthPrep
  • Emergencies can happen anytime. Help your child to be prepared for the unexpected: www.ready.gov/kids #BackToSchool #YouthPrep
  • Parents: Get the 4-1-1 on School Safety during an emergency: http://bit.ly/2axHk6u #BacktoSchool #YouthPrep
  • Speak Up! Ask your child’s teacher about the plans the school has in place for emergencies. #BacktoSchool #YouthPrep https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Actions-Schools-Are-Taking-to-Make-Themselves-Safer.aspx
  • Speak Up! Ask your child’s teacher about the plans the school has in place for emergencies. #BacktoSchool #YouthPrep https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/all-around/Pages/Actions-Schools-Are-Taking-to-Make-Themselves-Safer.aspx
  • Many Americans aren’t familiar with their child’s school evacuation & reunification plans. Are you? #YouthPrep
  • Talk to your kids about what to do before, during, and after a disaster. Know the facts: https://www.ready.gov/kids/know-the-facts #YouthPrep
  • Is your teen looking for ways to help before, during, & after disasters? Try Teen CERT: www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness #YouthPrep
  • Have kids? Ask your child's school for a copy of their emergency plan for you to keep at home & work #YouthPrep
  • #BackToSchool Tip: Create a backpack emergency card that your child can keep with them: https://bit.ly/2HNBHPS #ReadyKids
  • Allow children to be a part of the emergency planning process #YouthPrep
  • Nearly 70 million children are in school or child care each workday. Families should plan how to reunite during an emergency. #YouthPrep
  • Check out these tools to start your family emergency plan today: www.ready.gov/kids/make-a-plan #YouthPrep
  • Does your school have a plan for tornadoes, earthquakes and other disasters? Planning tips: http://go.usa.gov/NrHB
  • Does your child know how to do the Prep Step? Find out here: bit.ly/2a39Z4J #YouthPrep
  • Does your child know how to do the Prep Step? Find out here: bit.ly/2a39Z4J #YouthPrep
  • Help teach kids and their families how to be safe and prepared for public health emergencies with @CDCemergency’s Ready Wrigley http://www.cdc.gov/phpr/readywrigley/ #YouthPrep

Educators

  • Are your students prepared for an emergency? Download curriculum for grades 1-12 for your classroom: https://www.ready.gov/kids/educators #YouthPrep
  • 4th and 5th grade teachers: STEP up and use this emergency preparedness curriculum: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/110946 #YouthPrep
  • Teaching kids about disaster prep is important. See the 9 steps @FEMA @RedCross @usedgov have for #YouthPrep: http://bit.ly/2axiPcl
  • Make #firesafety fun for kids with the @sesamestreet and @usfire Fire Safety Program: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/prevention/outreach/sesame_street_program.html #YouthPrep
  • Encourage students to join Teen CERT so they can respond during emergencies. Learn more: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/28048 #YouthPrep
  • Youth can make a difference in their community as a member of the Youth Preparedness Council: https://www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness-council #YouthPrep
  • Preparedness can be as easy as teaching children the “Prep Step”: bit.ly/2a39Z4J #YouthPrep
  • Show students the Prep Step while learning about emergency preparedness: bit.ly/2a39Z4J #BackToSchool #YouthPrep
  • Start a program for kids to get involved in disaster preparedness. Tips & Tools: http://bit.ly/2amSUDi #YouthPrep
  • Find programs and resources tailored to youth in this Youth Preparedness Catalog: https://www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness #YouthPrep
  • There are many resources for organizations that work on addressing the needs of children during disasters. Find information and links to these resources at www.fema.gov/children-and-disasters #YouthPrep

Youth/Teens

  • Get involved in a local Teen Community Emergency Response Team. Find opportunities here #YouthPrep
  • Check out emergency preparedness volunteer opportunities with Teen CERT: https://www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/28048 #YouthPrep
  • Involve your friends by starting a #YouthPrep program. Tips & Tools: https://www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness #YouthPrep
  • Stay in the know about emergencies with the FEMA app: www.fema.gov/mobile-app #YouthPrep
  • Your community needs YOU! Find opportunities to help your community here: https://www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness #YouthPrep
  • Anyone can start a youth preparedness program, let it be you: https://www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness #YouthPrep

Health Professionals

  • Check out the @AmerAcadPeds Children and Disasters Web site www.aap.org/disasters
  • Connect with a trained counselor after a disaster by calling 1-800-985-5990 or texting TalkWithUs to 66746 #YouthPrep
  • Prepare your pediatric practice in advance of disasters to better assist children. The @AmerAcadPeds Preparedness Checklist for Pediatric Practices can help: www.aap.org/disasters/checklist #YouthPrep
  • Clinicians have key roles to play in preparing and treating families in disasters and emergencies: www.aap.org/disasters/preparednessmonth #YouthPrep
  • The unique needs of children mandate specialized planning for disasters. See the Ensuring the Health of Children & Disasters AAP policy: http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/early/2015/10/13/peds.2015-3112 #YouthPrep
  • Communication between public health/pediatrician leaders during a response to a public health emergency is crucial. www.aap.org/disasters/tabletop #YouthPrep

Last Updated: 12/14/2022

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