Typhoons are one of the most powerful and destructive natural disasters, especially common in coastal regions and tropical climates. As a nanny, you may find yourself responsible for young children during these unpredictable events. That’s why typhoons and emergency preparedness: a nanny’s guide to keeping children safe is more than a blog post—it’s a critical resource for caregivers.
Emergency preparedness is not just about having a first aid kit. It’s about anticipating scenarios, educating children in age-appropriate ways, and being calm and decisive when a storm hits. Your actions can significantly impact the physical and emotional safety of the children in your care. This guide will walk you through every stage—before, during, and after a typhoon—to ensure you're ready.
Before diving into preparedness, it’s essential to understand what a typhoon is. A typhoon is a tropical cyclone that forms in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. It brings violent winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, flooding, and landslides.
Typhoons can:
By knowing the science and risks behind typhoons, you can prepare more effectively. Start by learning about your local typhoon season and understanding the alert systems in your area (e.g., Signal Warnings, Flood Advisories, etc.).
Preparation is your first—and strongest—line of defense. As a nanny, your role is both logistical and emotional: managing supplies and comforting children.
Install weather apps like:
Set alerts for your current location. Sign up for SMS warnings from local emergency services.
Coordinate with the family on:
Print out the emergency plan and keep a digital copy on your phone. Practice the plan monthly with the children, incorporating simple steps they can remember.
An emergency kit should go beyond basics when caring for children. You must prepare for physical needs and emotional well-being.
Essentials:
For Children:
Store your kit in a waterproof backpack. Place it in an area that's easy to grab at a moment's notice—ideally near the safe room or front door. For families with vehicles, keep a second kit in the car.
Children should not be passive bystanders during emergencies. Involving them helps build resilience and gives them a sense of control.
Toddlers:
“Sometimes the sky gets really windy and rainy. We stay inside and snuggle until it’s safe again.”
Preschoolers:
“A typhoon is a big storm. We’ll play a game where we hide in the safest part of the house and wait for the storm to pass.”
For school-aged kids:
“We’re going to review our storm safety plan and practice what to do if the lights go out or if we need to leave the house quickly.”
Do mock drills that include:
Use visuals like drawings, printed plans, or sticker charts to reinforce steps. The goal is to make the process familiar and non-threatening.
When the typhoon hits, your focus shifts to sheltering in place and maintaining emotional security.
Stay in a windowless room with solid walls. Bring:
Avoid using candles—opt for battery-powered lamps instead. If flooding becomes a risk, be prepared to move to a higher level of the house.
Children look to adults for emotional cues. Stay calm, even if the situation is frightening. Use simple words:
“The storm is loud, but we’re safe. Let’s tell a story while we wait.”
Use calming tools:
Your role includes real-time updates.
Let parents know when:
Use whatever method still works—text, phone, or messaging apps. If internet is down, SMS or emergency radio are useful backups.
If you experience an emergency (injury, structural damage, need for evacuation), contact:
Even when the wind stops, danger can linger. Carefully assess your surroundings.
Before letting children leave the safe room:
Continue keeping children indoors until authorities declare it safe.
Once the situation is stable:
If children show signs of trauma (nightmares, clinginess, aggression), notify the parents and suggest professional support if needed.
Every experience is a learning opportunity. Use it to improve your family’s plan.
Ask yourself:
Document these lessons. Suggest updates to the emergency kit or drills based on what you learned.
Keep yourself educated by exploring:
Prioritize safety by grouping children by age and ability. Keep toddlers close and assign older children “helping roles” like handing out snacks or comforting their siblings.
Speak with the parents about:
Typhoons and emergency preparedness: a nanny’s guide to keeping children safe isn’t just about checklists—it’s about being a calm, informed, and dependable presence during some of life’s most stressful moments. Your preparation, empathy, and leadership can turn a frightening event into a manageable one for the children you care for.
By taking these steps now, you're not only protecting lives—you're also modeling resilience and responsibility for the next generation.
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