As wildfires continue to burn across Los Angeles County, threatening children’s homes, schools, communities and health, Save the Children is working to meet the most urgent needs of kids and families living in some of the areas hardest hit by the devastating wildfires by ensuring families receive critical supplies.
As thousands of acres continue to burn across Los Angeles County, threatening children’s homes, schools, communities and health, Save the Children is working to meet the most urgent needs of kids and families living in some of the areas hardest hit by the devastating wildfires.
Save the Children is helping ensure essential, child-focused supplies are getting into the hands of children and families impacted by the wind-fueled fires. This includes supplies like hygiene kits and caregiver kits – with flashlights, water bottles, blankets, portable chargers and more – as well as children’s activity kits, to enable kids to be kids during stressful times.
The global humanitarian organization is also communicating with local child care networks to understand the extent of the destruction and help restore child care and early learning centers damaged by the catastrophic wildfires. In addition, Save the Children’s psychosocial team is connecting with community organizations to assess the mental health needs of impacted children and caregivers, to begin planning long-term recovery support.
“Many children left home with only the clothes on their backs, and will need our help for many months to come,” said Lucero Chavez Ramirez, director of Save the Children’s California programs. “It’s critical we get children the essentials they need to be safe and healthy – and back to learning and their everyday, comforting routines. Save the Children is committed to helping them get that support now and over the long-term.”
Save the Children has been helping America’s children recover from major disasters since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It provided support to California families during the unprecedented 2020 wildfire season and has been working in the state since 2004, leading high-quality early education programs in some of the most impoverished rural communities.
By contributing to the Children's Emergency Fund, you will help Save the Children protect kids in the United States when disaster strikes. To learn more about Save the Children, please go to www.SavetheChildren.org.
ENDS
For interview requests about Save the Children’s response and how to keep kids safe during wildfires - please contact Save the Children US: media@savethechildren.org
10 Wildfire Safety Tips to Keep Children Safe
How to Prepare For A Wildfire:
1. Talk about wildfires.
Spend time with your family discussing why wildfires occur. Explain how to prevent wildfires and what to do if one occurs. Use simple age-appropriate words.
2. Know your wildfire risk.
Learn your area's risk of wildfires, particularly if you live near forests, in rural areas, or in a dry climate. Contact your local fire department, state forestry office, or other emergency response agencies for information on fire laws and wildfire risk.
The CDC also notes that wildfire smoke can irritate your lungs, cause inflammation and affect your immune system. Take extra care to protect children against wildfire smoke. Children with asthma and chronic health issues may have more symptoms, including trouble breathing, when smoke or ash is present.
3. Learn about caregivers’ disaster plans.
If your child’s school or childcare center is in an area at risk for wildfires, learn their wildfire emergency plan and evacuation plan. You may be required to pick up children from another location. Review these plans with your children.
4. Practice evacuation drills.
Practice evacuation drills with children to ensure they can evacuate quickly and safely if a wildfire occurs. Plan and practice two different routes from your neighborhood, learn your evacuation routes with your household and pets, and identify alternative destinations in case one route is blocked.
What to Do During a Wildfire:
5. Stay informed.
If a wildfire is approaching, listen regularly to local radio or TV stations for updated emergency information. Follow the instructions of local officials as they will know the safest evacuation route.
6. Have supplies ready.
If you must evacuate, wear protective clothing such as sturdy shoes, long pants (denim, cotton or wool is best) and long-sleeved shirts and gloves. Make sure to have your wildfire emergency supplies ready by building a kit that includes basic emergency items.
Lock your home and take a wildfire emergency kit with you.
7. Avoid smoke and fumes.
Keep children, babies and infants away from areas where there is smoke or fumes and stay indoors if possible. Smoke produced by the wildfire may cause breathing problems or contain poisonous toxins.
What to Do After a Wildfire:
8. Use caution when returning to a burned area.
Get permission from fire officials before returning to a burned area. Look out for hazards such as fallen wires and ash pits and be alert as fire re-ignition may be possible.
9. Clean up safely.
Follow public health guidance on safe cleanup of fire ash and safe use of masks and/or respirators. Keep children away from burned sites until cleanup is complete.
10. Limit media exposure.
Protect children from seeing too many sights and images of the wildfire, including those on the internet, TV or newspapers.
