Children and minors

Minors 17 and under can be found on campus at the University of Washington Medical Center, daycare centers, Experimental Education Unit, Burke Museum, athletic facilities, and many other buildings on campus. The largest numbers of children are found on campus during the summer months when numerous summer programs are held, with roughly 1,200 present. Many of the very young children may not know how to reach their parents or even their own name.

• Prepare yourself and your family: create your disaster plan

Recommendations

• University units and programs that deal with children should update current emergency plans based on emerging guidelines
• Include children in emergency drills
• Incorporate the minors census into the map of campus hazards
• Investigate the possibility of implementing a voluntary emergency location and communication system using text messaging/two-way radios/ global positioning sensors

Internet resources on children and emergencies:

• Vermont Department for Children and Families emergency response planning guide for child care
• Federal Emergency Management Agency program for children
• Red Cross tips for general disaster recovery for families  and for helping kids cope with trauma, ages 0-18