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Coloring Book 

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2ED#ROSS

Fire... Hurricane... Flood... Thunderstorm...

Dear Parent or Educator,

ews stories of disaster regularly make headlines around the globe.

As you’ve watched others deal with these emergencies, you may

have wondered what would happen if a disaster struck closer to home.

For parents or teachers of young children, the thought is even more troubling. How would you and your children cope? Perhaps you’ve already

experienced a disaster — what would you do differently next time? The

answer to both questions is clear. Be prepared.

This coloring book is designed for adults and children to work on together.

Children can learn about fire, earthquakes, floods, tornados and other

disasters, as well as how to protect themselves — all while having fun

coloring.

Work through each section with children to make sure they understand

the concepts and learn important safety messages. To help you do this,

each coloring page is accompanied by key points to talk about and

action steps to take. You may want to review this information before

meeting with children. The coloring book ends with a “quiz” that can help

you find out if they learned the information. From time to time, quiz children again and practice key steps to help them remember what to do.

Children are wonderful at adapting to situations when they know what to

expect. By creating a family disaster plan, you can help children be

ready to deal with emergencies. For more information, ask for materials

about specific disasters and for a copy of Your Family Disaster Plan from

your local office of emergency management (publication #L-191) or

American Red Cross chapter (publication #ARC4466). Or write to FEMA,

P.O. Box 70274, Washington, DC 20024, and ask for Publication #L-191.

N
Tornado... Earthquake... Winter Storm...

Hey Kids!

Wind makes kites fly. Fire can keep us warm. And rain helps flowers grow.

But sometimes the wind blows too hard, fires get too big or it rains too much.

Learn what to do when nature shows off!

This book will help you. But you’ll need to ask an adult to work with you. Get

Mom, Dad, your teacher or an adult friend to read this book while you color.

Have fun!
Natural Disasters

Disasters can strike quickly and without warning.

While a disaster is frightening for adults, it can be

traumatic for children if they don’t know what to do.

elp children understand the concept

of a disaster...

• Explain that nature sometimes provides

“too much of a good thing” — fire, rain,

wind, snow. Tell them that a disaster is

when something happens that could hurt

people, cause damage or cut off utilities

such as water, telephones or electricity.

• Give examples of several disasters that

could happen in your community. To get

this information, contact your local office of

emergency management or local American Red Cross chapter. Ask what disasters

are most likely to happen and request

information on how to prepare for them.

• Talk about typical effects that children

can relate to, such as loss of electricity,

water and telephone service.

• Explain that when people know what to

do — and practice in advance — everyone is better able to handle emergencies.

That’s why we need to create a family

disaster plan.

H
Nature is beautiful...and powerful!
Emergencies

Even very young children can be taught

how and when to call for help.

Action Steps for Adults

• Help children recognize the warning signs

for the disasters that could happen in your

community. You can get this information

from your local emergency management

office or American Red Cross chapter.

• Tell children that

in a disaster there

are many people

who can help

them. Talk

about ways that

an emergency

manager, Red

Cross volunteer, police officer, firefighter,

teacher, neighbor, doctor or utility worker

might help following a disaster.

• Teach children how and when to call for

help. Check the telephone directory for

local emergency telephone numbers. If

you live in a 9-1-1 service area, teach

children to call 9-1-1. At home, post emergency telephone numbers by all phones

and explain when to call each number.

• Even very young children can be taught

how and when to call for emergency assistance. If a child can’t read, this emergency

telephone number chart has pictures that

may help him or her identify the correct

number to call. As you explain each picture, have the child color the symbol on the

chart.

• Take a first aid and CPR course. These are

critical skills, and learning can be a fun

activity for older children. Contact your

local office of emergency management,

American Red Cross chapter or hospital for

information.

• At home, ask an out-of-state friend to be

your family “check-in” contact. After a

disaster, long-distance telephone lines often

remain in service even when local lines are

down. Tell children to call this “check-in”

contact if they are separated from the family

in an emergency. Help them memorize the

telephone number, or write it down on a

card they can keep with them.
Ambulance

Mother Father Other

Fire Police/Sheriff

Emergency

Phone Numbers

My Family Name:

My Phone Number:

My Address:

My Town:
alk with children about fire safety, and

practice these activities with them. Keep

in mind that children under age five are at

highest risk.

Safety Messages for Kids

• “Matches and lighters are tools, not toys.

These tools help adults use fire properly. If

you see someone playing with fire, tell an

adult right away.”

• “If a fire starts in your home or you hear

the smoke detector alarm, yell ‘Fire!’ several

times and go outside right away. If you live

in a building with elevators, use the stairs.

Never try to hide from fire. Leave all your

things where they are. Once you are outside, go to your meeting place and then

send one person for help.”

• “If your clothes catch fire...stop, drop and

roll. Stop what you are doing, drop to the

ground, cover your face and roll over and

over until the flames go out. Running will

only make the fire worse.”

Action Steps for Adults

• Show children how to crawl low, under the

smoke to escape. Explain that they should

feel a door before opening it. If the door is cool,

open it slowly. If the door is hot, find another

way out. If they cannot get outside safely,

instruct them to hang a sheet outside a window so firefighters can find them.

• Practice “stop, drop and roll” with children.

Explain that running away will only make

the fire burn faster.

Fire

Fire is the disaster that families are most likely to experience.

At home:

• Choose an outside meeting place, such as a

tree, street corner or mailbox. Make sure it will

be a safe distance from heat, smoke and

flames. Tell children to go directly to this meeting place in case of a fire. This plan will help

you know quickly if everyone got out safely.

• Make sure that children understand that

once they are outside, they should stay outside. Children are often concerned about the

safety of their pets, so discuss this issue before a

fire starts.

• Find two ways to escape from every room

and practice getting out of your home during

the day and at night. Chart these escape

routes on your own “home escape plan.” If

you have an escape ladder, show kids where

it’s kept and how to use it.

• Practice your home escape plan at least

twice a year. Quiz children every six months

so they’ll remember what to do and where to

meet.

• Install smoke detectors on every level of

your home, especially near bedrooms. Clean

and test them monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year. Make sure children

know what your smoke detector sounds like.

• Check electrical wiring in your home. Fix

frayed extension cords, exposed wires or loose

plugs.

• Make sure your home heating source is

clean and in working order. Many home fires

are started by faulty furnaces or stoves,

cracked or rusted furnace parts and chimneys

with creosote build-up.

T
My Meeting Place

 If a fire starts, yell “Fire!” and go outside right

away. Go to your outside meeting place.
Thunderstorms

Lightning always accompanies a thunderstorm.

And lightning can strike the same place twice!

 thunderstorm is a storm with lightning

caused by changes in air pressure.

Severe thunderstorms can bring heavy

rains (which can cause flash flooding),

strong winds, hail and tornados. At any

given moment, nearly 1,800 thunderstorms

are in progress over the face of the earth!

The sound of thunder can be especially

frightening for young children. Take the

“scariness” away by teaching them what to

expect during a thunderstorm and how to

be safe.

Safety Messages for Kids

• “If you see or hear a thunderstorm coming, go inside a sturdy building or car.”

• “If you can’t get inside...or if you feel your

hair stand on end, which means lightning

is about to strike...hurry to a low, open

space immediately. Crouch down and

place your hands on your knees.

Move away from tall things

like trees, towers, fences,

telephone lines or power

lines. They attract lightning. Never stand underneath a single large tree

out in the open because

lightning will hit the highest point in an area.

And stay away from metal things that

lightning may strike, such as umbrellas,

baseball bats, fishing rods, camping equipment and bicycles.”

• “If you are boating or swimming, get to

land immediately.”

• “Lightning can cause electric appliances,

including televisions and telephones, to

become dangerous during a thunderstorm.

Turn off the air conditioner and television,

and stay off the phone until the storm is

over.”

Action Steps for Adults

• Explain what to expect during a thunderstorm. Describe the loud thunder and

flashes of lightning. Make sure children

understand that they can stay safe.

• Talk about the danger signs; dark, towering clouds or distant lightning and thunder

can signal an approaching thunderstorm.

• Practice the “crouch down” position with

children.

A
If you see storm clouds or hear

thunder, go inside right away.
Tornados

Tornados are nature’s most violent storms —

they can devastate an area in seconds.

tornado appears as a rotating, funnelshaped cloud, striking the ground

with whirling winds of up to 200 miles per

hour. A tornado spins like a top and may

sound like an airplane or train. Most tornados travel a distance of about 10 miles,

although “tornado tracks” of 200 miles have

been reported. Tornados can happen just

about anywhere in the United States.

Safety Messages for Kids

• “Wherever you are, if you hear or see a

tornado coming, take cover right away.”

• “If you’re in a house or apartment building, go to the basement or storm cellar. If

there is no basement, go to the middle

section of the building on the lowest level —

and go into a bathroom or closet, if possible.”

• “Get under something sturdy, such as a

heavy table, and stay there until the danger has passed. Use your arms and hands

to protect your head from falling or flying

objects.”

• “If you’re outside,

in a car or in a

mobile home, go

immediately to the

basement of a

nearby sturdy building.

If there is no shelter nearby,

lie flat in a low spot. Use your arms and

hands to protect your head. If you hear or

see water, move quickly to another spot.”

Action Steps for Adults

• With children, find some safe places in

your home or classroom. Make sure these

places are away from windows and heavy

furniture that could tip over. Also, show

children an example of a safe place outside.

• Know the terms used on the radio or

television that warn of possible approaching tornados:

Tornado Watch: Weather conditions are

right for tornados to develop. A watch

does not necessarily mean a tornado will

develop.

Tornado Warning: A tornado has been

sighted and is dangerous. This is the

time to go to a safe place and listen to

a battery-operated radio for instructions.

• Find out what warning system is used in

your community.

• If you live in a single-family home in a

tornado-prone area, find out how to reinforce an interior room on the lowest level of

your home (such as the basement, storm

cellar, bathroom or closet) to use as a shelter.

A
If a tornado is coming, go to a

safe place right away.
Hurricane

A hurricane is a tropical storm with winds

reaching 74 miles per hour or more.

urricane winds blow in a large spiral

around a relatively calm center

known as the “eye.” The “eye” is generally

20 to 30 miles wide, and the storm may

spread outward as far as 400 miles. As a

hurricane approaches, the skies will begin

to darken and winds will increase. As a

hurricane nears land, it can bring heavy

rains, strong winds and extremely high

tides.

Safety Messages for Kids

• “During a hurricane

watch, we’ll listen regularly

to the radio or television for

official instructions.”

• “If officials announce a hurricane warning, they may ask us to leave our home as

soon as possible to be safe. We’ll take our

disaster supplies kits and go to a shelter or to

__________. We’ll call our “check-in” contact

so someone will know where we’re going.”

(Note: For information on how to assemble

a disaster supplies kit, please refer to the

“Disaster Supplies Kit” section.)

Action Steps for Adults

• Know the terms used on the radio or

television that warn of potential hurricane

conditions:

Hurricane Watch: A hurricane may

strike your area within 24-36 hours.

Hurricane Warning: Hurricane conditions are expected in your area within 24

hours. Coastal areas may need to be

evacuated.

• Talk about what you would do in an

evacuation. Consider where you would go

and what you would take.

• Keep a battery-operated radio in case

power goes out.

• Measure and cut plywood to cover your

windows.

H

(fill in)
If a hurricane is coming, your family may need

to leave home and go to a safer place.
ven very small streams, gullies, creeks,

culverts, dry streambeds or low-lying

ground that may appear harmless in dry

weather can flood.

Safety Messages for Kids

• ”If you come upon flood waters, stop.

Turn around and go another way. Climb

to higher ground.”

”Stay away from flooded areas...even if it

seems safe, the water may still be rising.

Never try to walk, swim or dive into the

water because it may be moving very

fast.” (NOTE: Less than six inches of fastmoving flood water can knock people off

their feet, and two feet of water will float a

car.)

• “If you are in a car, get out immediately

and move to higher ground.”

• “Watch out for snakes in areas that were

flooded.”

• “Never play around high water, storm

drains, ditches, ravines or culverts.”

• “Throw away food that has come into

contact with flood waters...eating it could

make you very sick.”

Floods

Floods are the most common and widespread of all natural hazards.

Action Steps for Adults

• Know the terms used on the radio or

television that warn of potential flooding

conditions:

Flood/Flash Flood Watch: Flooding or

flash flooding may occur within the

designated WATCH area — be alert.

Flood/Flash Flood Warning: Flooding or

flash flooding has been reported or is

imminent — take necessary precautions

at once.

• Find out if you live in a flood plain. If

you do, call your local emergency management office or American Red Cross

chapter to learn what types of supplies

should be stored to protect your home

from floodwater.

• Know the elevation of your property in

relation to nearby streams and dams so

that you will know if forecasted flood levels

will affect your home.

E
If you see flood waters, move away from

them. Go to a higher place. Never play

near or try to swim in flood waters.
Winter Storms

A winter storm can range from several inches of snow over a

few hours to blizzard conditions that last several days.

inter storms can last several days

and be accompanied by high winds,

freezing rain or sleet, heavy snowfall and

extreme cold. People can become

stranded on the road or trapped at home,

without utilities or other services. Most of

the United States is at some risk from winter

storms.

Safety Messages for Kids

• “The best way to stay safe in a snowstorm is to stay inside.”

• “If you go outside to play after a snowstorm, dress in many layers and wear a

hat and mittens. Come inside often for

warm-up breaks.”

• “If you start to shiver a lot or get very

tired...or if your nose, fingers, toes or ear

lobes start to feel numb or turn really pale...

come inside right away and tell an adult.”

Action Steps for Adults

• There are ways to dress children in cold

weather that will keep them warmer.

Many layers of thin clothing are warmer

than single layers of thick clothing. One of

the best ways to stay warm is to wear a

hat; most body heat is lost through the top

of the head. Keep hands and feet warm

too. Mittens are warmer than gloves.

Covering the mouth with a scarf protects

lungs from extremely cold air.

• Teach children how to watch for signs of

frostbite and hypothermia. A loss of feeling

and a white or pale appearance in fingers,

toes, nose or ear lobes are symptoms of

frostbite. Uncontrollable shivering, slow

speech, memory lapses, frequent stumbling, drowsiness and exhaustion are

symptoms of hypothermia. If you suspect

frostbite or hypothermia, warm the child

and seek immediate medical assistance.

• Children should also avoid overexertion.

Cold weather puts an added strain on the

heart.

• In your home, have available some kind

of emergency heating equipment and fuel

so you can keep at least one room of your

home warm. If your furnace is controlled

by a thermostat, and the power goes out,

you will need emergency heat.

• If you are trapped in your car during a

snowstorm, stay there. Leave the car only

if help is visible within 100 yards. To attract

attention, hang a brightly colored cloth on

the radio antenna and raise the trunk. Turn

on the car’s engine for about 10 minutes each

hour. Run the heater and turn on the dome

light when the car is running. Keep the

exhaust pipe clear of snow and open a

downwind window slightly for ventilation.

W
When there is snow outside, bundle up in lots of

layers of clothing and wear a hat. Ask an adult

if it’s okay to play outside — and come inside

often for “warm-up” breaks.
n earthquake is a sudden, fast shaking

of the earth. One can strike without

warning — causing fires, explosions and

landslides. Earthquakes happen when

rock that is below the earth’s surface breaks

and shifts. People in all states are at some

risk from earthquakes.

Safety Messages for Kids

• “If you’re indoors during an earthquake,

drop, cover and hold on. Get under a

desk, table or bench...hold on to one of the

legs and cover your eyes. If there’s no

table or desk nearby, sit down against a

wall. Pick a safe place where things will

not fall on you, away from windows, bookcases or tall, heavy furniture.”

• “Wait in your safety spot until the shaking

stops, then check to see if you are hurt.

Check the people around you too. Move

carefully and watch out for things that

have fallen. Be ready for smaller earthquakes called aftershocks.”

• “Be on the lookout for fires. Earthquakes

can cause fire alarms and fire sprinklers to

go off. If you must leave a building after

the shaking stops, use the stairs, not the

elevator.”

•“If you’re outside in an

earthquake...stay outside. Move away from

buildings, trees, street

lights and power lines.

Crouch down and

cover your head.”

Earthquakes

Earthquakes can happen anywhere, anytime.

• “If you are in a car, stay there with your

seatbelt fastened.”

Action Steps for Adults

• Help children understand what to expect

in an earthquake and how to protect themselves.

• With children, find safe places in every

room of your home or the classroom. Practice “drop, cover and hold on”...getting

under a table or other sturdy object. Look

for safe places inside and outside of other

buildings where you spend time.

• Explain that it is dangerous to run outside

when an earthquake happens because

falling objects can hurt people.

• Tell children to be prepared for aftershocks — smaller earthquakes that can

happen over a period of weeks (and sometimes months) after the first earthquake. Be

sure they know to go to a safe place during

aftershocks.

• At home, bolt down water heaters and

gas appliances. Place large or heavy

objects and fragile items (such as glass or

china) on lower shelves. Securely fasten

shelves to walls. Brace or anchor high or

top-heavy objects.

A
If you’re indoors during an earthquake,

drop, cover and hold on.
Disaster Supplies Kit

Assemble Disaster Supplies Kits with Your Children.

ollowing a disaster, basic services —

electricity, water, gas, telephones —

may be cut off for days. Or, you may have

to evacuate at a moment’s notice. You

probably won’t have time to shop or search

for the supplies you’ll need. Gather the

supplies you’ll need to deal with the situation now, before disaster strikes.

Action Steps for Adults

Plan an activity with children to put together disaster supplies kits.

At home, your kits should contain:

• One gallon of water per person per day

• Non-perishable food: ready-to-eat

canned meats, fruits and vegetables;

canned juices, milk and soup; sugar, salt

and pepper; high energy foods such as

peanut butter, jelly, crackers, nuts, health

food bars, trail mix; comfort foods such as

cookies, hard candy and sweetened cereal. Don’t forget a non-electric can opener!

• A first aid kit that includes your family’s

prescription medications (ask your doctor

about proper ways to store medicine)

• Emergency supplies and tools including

a battery-operated radio, flashlight and

plenty of extra batteries

• One change of clothing and footwear

per person, and one blanket or sleeping

bag per person

• Sanitation supplies: toilet paper, soap,

personal hygiene items

• Special items for infant, elderly or disabled family members

• An extra set of car keys and cash,

traveler’s checks and a credit card

Store enough supplies to last at least three

days. Keep them in sturdy, easy-to-carry

containers such as backpacks, duffle bags

or covered trash containers. Store your kits

in a safe, convenient place known to all

family members — preferably in a cool,

dry, dark place. Keep a smaller version of

this kit in the trunk of your car. You should

also keep important family documents in a

waterproof container.

In the classroom, your kit should contain:

• class roster

• first aid kit

• battery-operated radio

• work gloves

• flashlights

• extra batteries

• non-perishable food items; crackers,

cookies, trail mix

• plastic trash bags

• other items as your school requires

Ask children to help you remember to keep

your kits in working order: change the

water and food every six months; replace

batteries at least twice a year. You might

have them make calendars or posters with

these dates marked on them. And ask

children to think of items that they would

like to include in their own disaster supplies

kit, such as books or games or appropriate

non-perishable food items.

F
We can keep supplies that will help us if a disaster

happens. Put together a disaster supplies kit today!
• Hold emergency escape drills.

• Test smoke detectors and change the batteries.

• Keep disaster supplies kits up-to-date.

uiz children every few months to help them remember what to do.

Here are some questions you can ask right now to make sure

they’ve learned key concepts:

1. What will you do if you’re in your room and smell smoke or hear the

smoke detector go off? Where will you go?

2. What will you do if you see dark clouds and hear thunder?

3. How might you know that a tornado is coming? If a tornado is coming,

where will you go? What will you do to protect yourself?

4. If we are told that a hurricane is coming, what are some of the things we

will do to get ready?

5. Why should you stay away from flood waters?

6. What will you do if your clothes catch fire?

7. When you play outside in the snow, what will you do to make sure you

don’t get too cold?

8. If the earth starts to shake, what will you do?

9. Who will you call for help in an emergency? Where can you find these

telephone numbers?

10.What are some things you want to put in your disaster supplies kit?

11.What will you do if you see a friend playing with matches?

Q

Family Disaster Plan

Practice your plan so everyone will remember what to do!