P-2005 / June 2018

PREPARE

with PEDRO

disaster preparedness activity book
Prepare with Pedro: Disaster Preparedness Activity Book is a publication created by the 

Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Individual and Community Preparedness 

Division and Region V office in partnership with the American Red Cross.

The Red Cross emblem and the American Red Cross name are trademarks of the 

American National Red Cross and protected by various national statutes.

© 2018 by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The DHS Seal and FEMA Logo 

are properties of the Department of Homeland Security and protected by Federal Law.

The Prepare with Pedro Activity Book is available for free from FEMA.

Call 1-800-480-2520 and ask for publication number P-2005.

It is also available as a free download online at www.ready.gov/youth-preparedness.
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Dear Parent, Guardian, or Educator:

 This activity book is designed to teach young children and their 

families about how to stay safe during disasters and emergencies.

 Disasters can be scary for kids, but children are much better 

at adapting to situations when they know what to expect. Work 

with children through this activity book to help them understand 

the concepts and safety messages discussed.

 The below definitions will provide a foundation for understanding 

the safety messages provided.

 HAZARDS: Hazards are the events that may lead to emergencies 

and disasters. A hazard is a source of danger, like a flood.

 EMERGENCY: An emergency is a time when something serious 

happens and immediate help is needed.

 DISASTER: A disaster is an emergency that causes great harm 

to people or an area.

 PREPARE: Prepare means to get ready. You get ready for things 

all the time — like when you put on a jacket and grab an 

umbrella to get ready for a rainy day. There are lots of things 

you can do to “PREPARE” for emergencies and disasters, like 

learning what to do if one happens, making a plan with your 

family, or putting supplies in an emergency kit.

 SAFE PLACE: A safe place is somewhere you can go to be safe 

from things that could harm you. What is considered a safe place 

will vary depending upon the emergency or disaster.

 While working through this activity book with your child, use 

page 11 to create a family communication plan to ensure that 

your family is ready for any emergency or disaster. Developing

and practicing a plan are key steps to helping both adults and 

children remember what to do to stay safe.

Learn more at www.ready.gov and at www.redcross.org.

Sincerely,

Your friends at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) 

and the American Red Cross
Hi! I’m Pedro the Penguin, and I am traveling around the 

United States to visit my friends and learn how they prepare. 

I’d like you to come.

Emergencies and disasters can happen anywhere, but there are 

ways to help you stay safe. Follow along, and we can learn 

together!

Hazard Key

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Extremely Cold Earthquake Flood Wildfire

*This map is not reflective of all 

hazards across the United States

Thunderstorm Extremely Heat Tornado Hurricane
THUNDERSTORM

Thunderstorms bring lots of rain. 

They also bring thunder, lightning, wind, and hail.

It’s not safe to be outside when lightning is near. If you hear 

thunder, then that means that lightning is close. Get indoors fast.

Remember, when thunder

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, go indoors.

When thunder roars, 

go indoors!
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TORNADO

 A tornado is a spinning column of air. Tornadoes have strong winds 

that can cause a lot of damage to things in their paths.

A

means that a 

tornado might 

happen.

 Listen for more 

information, stay 

close to a safe 

place, and get 

ready!

These signs may help you know that a tornado is coming:

Dark or green 

colored sky

Funnel cloud

Loud train-like 

sound 

Hail
A Tornado Warning means that a tornado has been spotted in your 

area. In some places, you may hear tornado sirens. It’s time to take 

cover now!

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 Indoors, go to the lowest level in the building. This could be a 

basement or first floor. Find an interior room with no windows. 

Get down on the ground and cover your head and neck.

 

Did you know? A mobile home is not a safe place to be 

during a tornado. If you live in a mobile home, locate 

your nearest sturdy building now. 

Practice going to that safe place.
Before the storm, Amelia and Elijah found 3 safe places to 

go during a tornado. Can you circle the safe places?

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Answer Key: (basement, bathroom, storm cellar)
EXTREME COLD

 Temperature tells you how hot or cold the air is. 

During winter, the air outside can get very cold.

I love the snow!

 Me too! But before we 

go outside, we prepare by 

putting on warm clothes. 

 We go inside when it 

starts to feel too cold. 

Remember, tell an adult if you feel

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or numb while playing outside.

32F
 Electricity is what powers the lights and makes the heat stay on 

at home. Sometimes, the electricity may go out. When this happens, 

you can use an emergency supply kit to help stay safe.

 Mia and her family are showing Pedro how to make a kit to be 

prepared. What should they put in the kit?

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Draw a line to match the name of the supply to its picture.

First Aid Kit/

Medicine

Pet Supplies 

Blankets

Food

Radio

Water

Flashlight & Batteries

You can make your own emergency supply kit at home!

Ask an adult to help you. Having a kit nearby can help 

you stay safe in many different kinds of emergencies.
FLOOD

When a lot of rain comes or a river overflows, that can bring 

a flood. Floods that happen very quickely are called flash floods.

Playing in flood water is not safe and could make you sick.

Moving water can sweep you off your feet fast. If you see flood 

water, never walk through it. Tell adults not to drive through it.

Did you know? Floods are the 

most common weather event 

in the United States.

Remember, Turn

Turn around,

don’t drown!

, Don’t Drown
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Martin’s family knows what to do when they see flood water. Do you?

Decode the secret message!

Answer Key: “TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN”

= N = D = R = O

= A = U = W = T
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 Floods can happen where we live, 

so my family made a plan. We know 

where to go if a flood comes. We 

wrote down important information 

like names and phone numbers to 

use if something happens.

 Fill out this plan together 

with your parent or guardian. 

Then talk about what to do if 

something happens. Your family 

can make a plan for any 

emergency or disaster. 

My Family Communication Plan

My Name:

My Address:

My Family Members Names:

My Telephone Number:

Guardian Telephone Number:

School/Child Care Contact:

Neighborhood Meeting Spot:

Out-of-Neighborhood Meeting Spot:

Out-of-town Contact:

Medical/Doctor Information:

Review and update this plan every year.

Always remember to call 911 in emergencies!
HURRICANE

WEATHER

ALERT

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 A hurricane is a big storm that forms over the 

ocean. It has a spiral shape and can travel a 

long way before it reaches land.

 A hurricane can cause a lot of damage with 

strong winds and heavy rain when it hits land. 

The ocean water can rise with large waves that 

flood the coast.

 Most of the time, we know when a 

hurricane is coming before it hits land. 

We stay informed, gather our supplies, 

and prepare our home. We may stay 

home or we may have to evacuate.
 Sometimes it is safe to stay at home during the storm, but 

you must be prepared. During the storm, stay in a safe room 

with no windows. Bring your pets and emergency supply kit in 

the room with you.

Can you find the emergency supplies hidden in this picture?

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Flashlight

Batteries

Food

Bottle

Pet Supplies

Radio

Diapers

Water

Blanket

Baby

Hey Pedro, let me show you

what items we need for the storm!
 Some areas will not be safe during a hurricane. You may be told 

that it is safer to leave your home and travel to a safe place.

This is called 

 A safe place is away from the wind and flood waters. It can be a 

hurricane shelter, a hotel, or even the home of a family member or 

friend.

 If you are told to evacuate, you must do this right away. Waiting 

to leave can be unsafe. 

We found

a place to go. 

We practice how 

to get there 

every year.

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Now it’s Pedro’s turn. Help Pedro get to safety!

SAFE PLACE
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EARTHQUAKE

An earthquake is when the rock under the earth’s surface moves. 

When that happens, the ground under your feet can 

shake, move, or crack.

If the ground starts shaking:

 Drop where you are, onto your hands 

and knees

 Cover your head and neck. Crawl under a

nearby sturdy table or desk if you can.

 Hold On until the shaking stops.

Here, let me show you!

Did you know? Earthquakes can happen almost 

anywhere in the United States!
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My family found these safe places 

to Drop, Cover, and Hold On. 

Find a sturdy table near you and practice Drop, Cover, and Hold On.

If you’re outside when an earthquake happens, then stay there! 

Move to an open area if you can. Drop where you are,

and cover your head and neck.

Now it’s our turn. Practice with me!

Drop, Cover, and Hold On.
EXTREME HEAT

Too much sun can 

make you sick.

If you feel weak or dizzy, 

tell an adult right away.

Go to a cool spot, drink 

some water, and lie down.

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 is when it is hotter outside than normal.

When it is really hot for several days or weeks, it is called a

heat wave.

90 F
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Can you find these words

to help Elan and Yuma stay cool?

water 

inside 

sunscreen 

sunglasses 

hat

cool

fan 

shade 

umbrella

 Keep 

when it’s hot outside!
WILDFIRE

A is a fire that burns through forests and other 

wildlands. In some places, the weather may be really dry for 

a long period of time. A dangerous wildfire can start quickly in 

these conditions.

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Did you know? Most wildfires are caused by humans. 

Always be careful when camping or cooking outside.
 Sometimes wildfires come close to houses. When this happens, 

you may be asked to leave your home and travel to a safe place.

Remember, this is called .

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EVACUATING EVACUATING

Elan and Yuma’s family needs to evacuate!

Color each picture and number them in the

right order to help in their evacuation.

Answer Key: (1.PREPARING, 2.WARNING, 3.PACKING, 4.EVACUATING)

EVACUATING

PREPARING

WARNING

PACKING
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 for coming along as I learned

from my friends around the country!

Remember: 

-Make a plan and practice with your family

-Build an emergency supply kit

-Find safe places to take shelter

awarded to

for learning lots of ways to be prepared 

for emergencies and disasters.


Catalog No. 1874-6

FEMA P-2005

 For more information on how to prepare 

yourself and your family for disasters, 

please visit:

www.ready.gov www.redcross.org