Disasters happen in all communities. They are becoming increasingly common and increasingly severe. The best way to protect your early care and education program is to prepare for emergencies before they happen. In this chapter, we explore steps that center- and home-based providers can take to be prepared, including:
- Becoming informed about any likely emergencies in your area
- Identifying and correcting any physical hazards in your program that could make an emergency worse
- Developing written plans about how you will respond to different types of emergencies
- Building and maintaining an emergency supply kit
- Practicing your response plans frequently
Being prepared before a disaster happens will make it easier for everyone to cope and recover during and after an emergency.
Last Updated: May 10, 2021