Parents Say Government Not Equipped to Protect Kids In Emergency Situations: Report

A report by Save the Children released Tuesday says that 74 percent of parents with school-going children believe that the federal government is not prepared to protect their kids from disasters.

The report, called "What are You Waiting For", was released as part of the Disaster Preparedness Month. 

A related survey carried out by Harris Poll, commissioned by Save the Children, covered 1,012 parents of children under 18 who are enrolled in child care or school. They found that on an average parents spent five hours organizing back-to-school supplies this summer. In contrast, the average parent spent only one hour on family emergency planning over the past year.

"This report is a wake-up call," said Kathy Spangler, Save the Children's vice president of U.S. programs. "American parents say they're concerned about risks their children face from school shootings and natural disaster. Yet, our poll also shows most parents know little about emergency plans at their child's school or child care, and that they are failing to take basic actions to protect kids at home."

The report found that twenty-one states and the District of Columbia do not meet emergency planning standards for schools and child care providers.

The report has evaluated the states' preparedness based on  4 guidelines initiated by government bodies post the Hurricane Katrina disaster. It looks at the states' evacuation and relocation plans, family-child reunification plans, children with special needs plans and K-12 multiple disaster plans.

"Emergencies can strike anywhere, anytime - so a multihazard plan means that you're prepared for three types of emergencies: an evacuation and lockdown for a shooter situation - but also you need a safe room situation for when you're threatened by a natural disaster," said  Richard Bland, Save the Children's director for policy and advocacy.

In the past year alone, the nation has experienced at least 20 school shootings and 50 major natural disasters, the report says

Nearly 54 percent of American families with children in child care or school have been affected by hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, school shootings, wildfires or other types of disaster.

The poll has come up with alarming findings about the gap in emergency preparedness on the part of parents and schools both as 69 million children prepare to go back to school this summer.

The report says:

Despite their disaster risk concerns, the majority of parents (63 percent) are not very familiar with emergency plans at their child's school or child care.

Two thirds (67 percent) don't know if emergency drills are held frequently, or at all.

Two in five (42 percent) wouldn't know where to reunite with children if evacuated from school or child care.

The organisation has come up with a  disaster planning checklist through its Get Ready Get Safe initiative. It advises preparing a kit bag with essentials like toiletries, medical and contact information and most essential a comfort toy or favorite item of the child.