Astraphobia, the fear of thunder and lightning, is particularly common in children. It is known to last months after a traumatic incident occurs if not dealt with immediately.
Keeping your child calm during a storm is crucial to ensuring their mental and emotional well-being long after the storm has passed. Educating children about storms, learning to address their concerns during an emergency, and installing a safe room to protect them are important aspects for parents to ensure no lasting damage occurs.
Let’s look at what parents can do to help their children during storms and other natural disasters:
1. Prepare Your Child Before The Storm
National emergency broadcast systems and sirens alert everyone, including children, about an incoming natural disaster. Use these instances to educate your kid about potential threats and safety precautions.
You can find great literature to help your children learn about natural disasters in advance. Creating a plan will also help children cope with anxiety and stress in unforeseen situations. If you have a safe room, immediately take shelter to protect yourself and your children.
2. Turn down the media
Children feed on secondhand anxiety from their parents. Try to monitor the news on your phone or laptop with a muted volume or in a separate room to keep your child’s fears in control.
3. Engage your child in an activity
Tense situations make it difficult for children to calm down. If your child has a favorite activity, bring out the tools to distract them until you have reached your tornado shelter or a safe spot. Ask your child questions or engage with them directly so they can address their fears as they occur.
4. Stay calm
Your actions will have a great impact on how your child feels during a crisis. If you panic, your child will likely do the same. Keep your voice low and calm during discussions to handle the situation with ease. Staying composed will also help you figure out the next step forward.
5. Follow up with your child
After the storm, console your child by explaining the situation to them. Acknowledging their courage and calm behavior will encourage them to put their best foot forward during similar situations in the future.
In case of damage to your property or injury to loved ones, explain to them the plan of action to help manage their expectations. Answer your child’s questions and concerns and encourage them to talk about their fears.
About Safe Rooms US
Our high-quality safe room shelters are built to protect you and your family from violent natural disasters. Safe Rooms US offers custom safe rooms designed according to FEMA guidelines to withstand severe winds such as EF5 tornadoes. Our experts with 25+ years of experience offer above-ground and in-ground shelters, including safe rooms, concrete shelters, and underground bunkers in Dallas, Texas.
Contact us to find out more, or click here for more information.