Previously, we talked about the different kinds of storms and shared a few tips on how you can prepare for them.  At Roo Roofing, we understand that while getting your home ready for the damage and loss of utilities associated with a storm is the first step to storm preparation, making sure that your family is able to stay healthy and calm during a damaging storm is an essential component of the preparation process. In this post, we wanted to share how to prepare your family for storm season and share some of the emergency contacts you need to know when a storm hits your area.

Explaining Preparation

You’re racing around the backyard and your kids are wondering why you’re packing things away or tying down equipment, explain to them the reasons for your actions, and what might happen if you don’t take the necessary precautions.

It’s good for them to have an understanding of the possible consequences of being ill-prepared for a storm. What may be clear safe practice to us as adults may not be so obvious for children. Kids have a built-in curiosity to want to touch and feel things, to work out what they’re all about. We know that water and electricity don’t mix, but to a child sparks and flashes of light may look beautiful and attractive, so much so that they might they may want to get a closer look. You need to explain that they need to know to stay well away from the unknown in these circumstances.

Overcoming Fears

It’s a common fear of kids to be afraid of storms. The best way to help your child cope is to talk about it, ideally before the next storm coming up during storm season. 

If your child is over 5 or so,  sometimes learning more about what thunder and lightening are and why they happen (as well as how rare it is to get struck) can make your child feel more in control and less afraid. Never dismiss or minimize your child's fear; instead, explain that even though lightning can be dangerous, you and your child are safe because you are all indoors and away from potential danger zones, like open bodies of water and trees.

For toddlers, you can show them that the sounds of thunder and lightning aren't so scary by recreating the noises together with pots and pans. Once they realize they can make that same cracking noise themselves, it won't be such a frightening unknown.

Another idea is to build a fort of pillows and crawling into it, this makes them feel more protected and can even be a fun game in your make-shift cubby house.

As for adults with a fear of severe storms, the number one thing again is to be prepared. A well-prepared plan for your family can help reduce anxiety and chaos before, during, and afterward. Secondly, be informed. Stay up-to-date on weather information and warnings. If you’re aware of the latest information, you may gain a sense of control over the situation. Lastly, accept what you can’t control. Nobody can control the path of a storm or its damage. And excessive worrying that one may hit you will not change anything except your emotional well-being.

The Waiting Game

If you don’t have to evacuate but you are stuck at home what do you do with the family? Even for seemingly “small” storms, your family and you could be out of power for half an hour or for more severe storms, hours, if not days. Storms can be most especially scary to young children but even then, adults also can feel disturbed during this time. One of the best things to pass the time and distract everyone is to a play a game. Here are some ideas:

• Board Games

Beat boredom (and fear) with a board game. Think Scrabble, Monopoly, Catan and Guess Who? (or any other board games that your family has a love for). These games are a great way to keep your mind occupied while access to the outdoors and power is restricted. Some games take a few hours to complete, and you might find that the storms has passed throughout this time.

• Cards

Like board games, cards can provide hours of fun! These days there are also more than just your regular pack of cards - you could play the card version of monopoloy or phase 10 (among many others).

• Charades

Another family-friend that is easy to play, of course is a camp favourite - charades. Simply divide teams, one team writes a secret word or phrase that a member of the other team must act out to their teammates within a set time limit without saying the actual word. There are variations on this.

It’s games like this that make a somewhat scary event, a family bonding one.

Emergency Numbers and Websites

It’s important that you and your family members (the adults ones) are aware of who to call in case of emergencies.

Brisbane City Council 3403 8888

Energex emergencies 13 19 63 Loss of power 13 62 62

SES (State Emergency Services) 13 25 00

Download our StormKit Checklist here for more emergency numbers and websites.

Preparing your family for during the storms is important and afterwards too. You need to assess the damage and explain to the kids why roof replacement or roof restoration is necessary to you and your family's safety.