Columbus, Ohio- (AVC News) – September has been designated as Ohio Preparedness Month by the State of Ohio and coordinated by the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (Ohio EMA).
Ohio Preparedness Month (OPM) is a month long campaign aimed at enhancing public awareness and providing education for effectively preparing for emergencies, disasters, or unforeseen circumstances that may arise.
Ohio’s 2026 Preparedness Month theme is “Prepare Your Family,” broken down into weekly topcics, which aims to encourage Ohioans to take steps now to help their family and households be prepared in the event of an emergency or disaster.
Week 1: Preparedness Kits for the Family
Week 2: Plan for your Family
Week 3: Family Communication
Week 4: Youth Preparedness
Week 5: Livestock/Pet Preparedness
Each week, AVC News reporter, Mike McKay will break down each topic into a separate article.
This week’s topic; Youth Preparedness
YOUTH PREPAREDNESS
Preparing younger members of the family will depend upon age physical abilities and ability comprehend and take part.
Young people should be included in family preparation plans and encourage their involvement and allow their input.
The Ohio EMA and FEMA have a number of disaster preparedness publications aimed at younger citizens, including games and coloring books.
Emergencies and disasters are frightening event for everyone, especially children.
Experts say that honest, age appropriate language while preparing for a disaster will help a child be more ready should an event take place. In the event of an emergency, children will look to adults for guidance and an air of prepared calm can likely ease the situation for the child.
Allowing a child to take an active part, if possible, during a disaster/emergency may also help.
Adults should also plan for possible emotional, perhaps violent outbursts by children during a disaster. Regression, such as reverting to bedwetting is also a possible reaction to stress.
A family disaster kit should include the child’s favorite blanket, toys, small games, books or other such items of comfort.
