Nannies, do you and your nanny family have any type of nanny Emergency Plan in place? There are so many different scenarios is which one would be needed! According to the US Department of Homeland Security’s Ready Check program, the keys are to prepare, plan and stay informed.
There is the weather, depending upon where you live; you may need to know what to do in the event of a tornado or earthquake, flooding or blizzards. Have you and your nanny family sat down and drafted a nanny emergency plan of action? This can include things such as, where to go, what to take with you, what to do if the power goes out or there is no cell service and how to find one another if you are separated.
What about a non-weather related emergency, such as a gas leak or a fire in or near the home you work in. Do you have an established meeting place in your local area? Many times if there is a disaster in the area you provide care, no one will be allowed into that area, so to reunite the children with the parents you will need to take them to a designated meeting place.
There are also evacuations due to gas leaks, train derailments, and other man made disasters. And with the anniversary of 9/11 fast approaching, terrorism remains a concern also. What about an emergency plan, if heaven forbid the parents are in an accident or something happens that prevents them from coming home? Who would you call to notify, who would come and take care of the children or who would you take the children to? It’s important to know this information.
As a child care professional, you need to think of the ‘what ifs’ to be prepared and able to respond in any emergency situation. If your nanny family has not already discussed this with you, bring it up! They will appreciate your foresight and attention to the entire family’s well being.
When you care for children with special needs, you need to do extra emergency planning. The American Academy of Pediatrics has special emergency planning resources for children with special health needs.
Do you have a code word? This can be used if something is seriously wrong and you need the parents ASAP. We often hear about parents and nannies having a code word with school age children, and this same concept can be applied to home emergencies where you do not want to frighten the children but you want to notify the parents right away. You can text the code word quickly and the parents will know what it means.
You can even develop different code words for different situations. This may require a master sheet be kept with you, but it can be done.
Do you carry your ID on you when you are at work? What about identification for the children you care for? What if something happened and you were separated from the children or you were unable to communicate, who would know who you are? What if something happened to you and you are caring for a child that cannot communicate, how is anyone going to know who you are and who the child belongs to? It is beneficial to make a child ID card with the child’s name, parent’s name, contact numbers and any medical conditions or allergies. Carry this on you at all times when you are with the children. Take pictures with your cell phone of key information such as medical insurance cards, allergies and medical conditions – it is easy to recall in an emergency off your camera roll.
The main message is to be prepared. Have a plan of action. Know what to do and where to go in the event of any type of emergency. Know who to contact and in what means, either via text or phone call.
It is wise to be prepared and stay on step ahead!
Have you had to deal with an emergency as a nanny? Share what worked, what didn’t and please help us all be better informed child caregivers.
A special thank you to INA member and 2014 INA Nanny of the Year Sheri Lopez for contributing this article.
Sheri is very active with INA – in addition to the 2014 NOTY activities such as media interviews and speaking engagements, Sheri also serves on the INA Board of Directors.
Related Links:
Nanny Mandated Reporter of Suspected Child Abuse
Nanny Resource: Working with Parents with Special Needs