Kids, pets, and hurricanes

Talk to your kids, but don't scare them

Long before the hurricane season begins, parents should begin explaining to children what hurricanes are, the dangers they pose and the safety measures to take against them.

Here are some things parents can do now and before a storm threatens:

• Explain to your children that a hurricane is a giant, rainy windstorm, destructive and dangerous, but survivable with preparation and precaution.

• The more children know about the storm and safety procedures, the more confident they will be. But keep it simple; detailed information is useless if children can't digest it. Younger children may have trouble understanding the idea of a hurricane. Talk to them instead about its effects. They need to know that a hurricane can destroy homes and leave families without food, water, and electricity.

• Using a map, help older children name the states and cities where hurricanes are likely to strike. Have them mark where you live in the hurricane zone.

• Ask children, whatever their age, to make a list of what they do during a typical day. Explain to them that those activities might change if a hurricane hits: School might close; they may not get to play outside; they may have to eat different foods.

Involve children in preparations

It's important for children to feel they are a part of the preparations. Allow children to help plan and pack safety kits, help check hurricane shutters, make preparations for their pets.  Children should be reminded of their hurricane lessons throughout the year; a crash course in hurricanes only hours before one arrives may cause children to panic.

Be calm as a storm approaches

As a storm approaches, children's fears can intensify. Grown-ups can help calm those fears with a common-sense, parent-to-kid talk.  You should start talking with your children about the coming storm, and what you're going to do about it, 24 to 36 hours before it arrives.  But, before you say anything, make sure you are not so stressed you will frighten them. Be sure to answer questions calmly, and remember that younger kids need less detailed explanations than older kids.

Here are some other tips:

• Make sure children understand how important it is for them to listen to adults during the storm.

• Parents should explain again that a hurricane is a giant windstorm, destructive and dangerous, but survivable with the preparations you've all made.

• The more children know about the storm and safety procedures, the more confident they will be during the storm and recovery.

• At this stage, when the storm is threatening, it's more important than ever for children to feel they are a part of the preparations.

• Let them help gather and pack safety kits, which should include their toys and games for quiet play in small areas.

• At the grocery, when you're getting last-minute supplies, allow children to pick out some of their favorite foods.

• Ask your children to close their eyes and imagine pouring rain and the sounds of whipping wind. Tell them the wind might knock down trees and houses and overturn cars. Then tell them to imagine how dark it is when they sleep at night and tell them that if winds knock out power, that is what it will be like.

• Tell children the storm might be so strong that you will all have to leave home. You might have to go to a relative's home, a hotel or a shelter.

• If you're going to evacuate the area, let children bring a favorite game or toy. Make sure it's relatively quiet and doesn't take up much space.

• Wherever you stay, children should be firmly warned to stay away from windows and doors.  Explain that the storm might grow quiet during the passing of the hurricane's eye, but that the rain and roar will begin again after the eye has passed.

• During the storm, children can listen to parents tell stories from their own lives or the lives of grandparents. Stories that call for participation, by clapping or repeating lines on cue, are best for relieving stress, especially for young children.
  Encourage children to tell their own stories, but don't force them. Sing songs, too; singing helps relieve stress.

Make plans for your pets

Make plans now for what to do with your pets in the event of a hurricane. Wherever your pet rides out the storm, make sure that it has at least a three-day supply of food and water and is wearing a collar with identification.

Important things to remember!!

Shelters do not permit pets

Don't plan on taking your pet to a public emergency shelter. Because of safety and public health concerns, public shelters don't allow pets, except Seeing Eye dogs. Leave pets alone at home only as a last resort, and then be sure to leave them enough food and water. Never leave a pet at home on a tether.

Boarding your pet

If you're going to board your pet, now's the time to call your local veterinary clinic or the Humane Society for kennel locations.  Call local kennels now and ask about emergency procedures and admission requirements. Many kennels require proof of vaccinations, so arrange needed vaccinations now.  If you board your pet, use a portable carrier to move the pet. Make sure the animal is wearing identification. Provide a familiar towel or blanket, a supply of water and food, a leash, and any needed medications.

Traveling with your pet

If you're going to be traveling with a pet, consider buying a portable carrier or cage.  The carrier should be large enough to allow the pet to stand up and turn around. Bring along a collar with identification, a familiar towel or blanket, a two-week supply of water and food, a leash and any medications needed.  If you're taking your pet along, call ahead to hotels and motels to make sure they allow pets.  Use a portable carrier or cage to travel with household pets. The carrier should be large enough for the animal to stand up and turn around in. If you travel with the pet, bring along a collar with identification, a familiar towel or blanket, a supply of water and food, a leash, and any needed medications.

Leaving your pet behind

If you must leave your pet behind, leave your pet alone only as a last resort. Don't let your pet roam outside. It's dangerous for the animal, and would violate county ordinances. Bring the pet inside, away from the dangers of wind, water and debris.  Leave the pet with enough food and water for at least five days. Water should be the priority; a pet in good health can survive several days without food. Fill the bathtub or a nonspill container with water.  Leave a soft towel or blanket for the animal to rest on.  Choose an enclosed garage, utility room, or bathroom, preferably with a tile floor to make cleanup easier. The room used should be a place the animal has lived in before, and should not have any unprotected windows.  Put out plenty of newspapers, paper towels, trash bags or cat litter.  Do not leave vitamins or mineral supplements where the pet can get to them; overeating such things can poison an animal.  Have a pet first-aid kit on hand, with salve and bandages, for when you return.

Exotic pets

Consider leaving exotic pets, such as parrots, reptiles or ferrets, with friends or relatives safely out of storm-threatened areas.  Exotic pets usually require specialized care and feeding, and are more sensitive to environmental changes than dogs or cats.  That can make it more difficult for you to improvise for them.  The pet should be transported in a roomy container or crate.  Exotic pets usually eat special foods and may not eat substitutes. Keep a seven- to 10-day supply of food and water to take with the animal.  If you must leave the pet, place it in a non-glass, wire or mesh container. Place the container high enough that flooding will not endanger your pet.

Livestock

Decide now what to do with livestock. Some animal control officials say cows and horses are better off in a pasture. Others recommend sheltering them in a stable, barn or shed.