A recent international study showed that children are not well prepared when it comes to emergency situations, be it a fire, an earthquake, a gas leak or getting lost. As tougher economic times mean more families, in which both parents are working, it becomes a bigger concern. The probability of youngsters finding themselves in a crisis situation increases. Gulf News community journalists spoke to children and their parents from a cross-section of society in the UAE to find out how they cope on their own. Are children prepared to handle emergencies? Read on to find out.
Meet the families
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IRAQI FAMILY
Father: Yasir Al Jaafar, a car salesman
Son: Samer Al Jaafar, a six-year-old Emirate: Sharjah |
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NEW ZEALAND FAMILY
Father: James Evans, an air traffic controller
Son: Jack Evans, a nine-year-old Emirate: Dubai |
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FILIPINO FAMILY Son: Diego Vargas, a nine-year-old Emirate: |
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INDIAN FAMILY
Mother: Swati Basu, a homemaker
Daughter: Kehkashan Basu, 10-year-old Emirate: Dubai |
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EMIRATI FAMILY
Father: Saif Easa Al Meskiri
Son: Easa Saif, an eight-year-old Emirate: Dubai |
EXPERTS
- Dr Lalit Taori, a doctor, who works in the accident and emergency department of Welcare Ambulatory Care Centre, Dubai
- Arvind T. Dhumale, a fire supervisor in Abu Dhabi
- Dr.Gabriel Ionescu, senior consultant and head of Paediatric Surgery division at Tawam Hospital in Al Ain
Scenario 1: Cuts and bruises
IRAQI FAMILY
Child’s response — I would call my mum and dad. I memorised their number. I’ll also wash it with water.
Parent’s response — He would directly call his mum and start crying.
Parent’s response — He would directly call his mum and start crying.
NEW ZEALAND FAMILY
Child’s response — I would put a plaster on it.
Parent’s response — He’d come and get one of us (mum or dad).
Parent’s response — He’d come and get one of us (mum or dad).
FILIPINO FAMILY
Child’s response — I would tell mum or brother about the cut or bruise, and they would put bandage.
Parent’s response — He’ll approach his mum first. Even if it’s small cut, he’ll show it to me. If we’re not around, he’ll approach the nearest adult.
Parent’s response — He’ll approach his mum first. Even if it’s small cut, he’ll show it to me. If we’re not around, he’ll approach the nearest adult.
INDIAN FAMILY
Child’s response — I’d wash the wound and then find the first-aid kit for a bandage. But, before using any medication, I’d call my mother.
Parent’s response — I would expect her to use the first-aid kit and then call the family doctor.
Parent’s response — I would expect her to use the first-aid kit and then call the family doctor.
EMIRATI FAMILY
Child’s response — I would wash it and put a Band-Aid.
Parent’s response — He is never left unattended and the house help is always with him, but if he is alone he can always ask for help from people around him.
Parent’s response — He is never left unattended and the house help is always with him, but if he is alone he can always ask for help from people around him.
Dr Ionescu — Children’s responses are unpredictable. When alone, they do not even realise how bad the cut or bruise may be until much later — it is important to keep an eye on them. Prevention is the key and this is in the hands of the parents. When children realise they are hurt, they should alert an adult immediately.
Scenario 2: Electric shock
IRAQI FAMILY
Child’s response — I would call my dad. I never go next to a plug, it is dangerous.
Parent’s response — He would start shouting and crying and move away from it.
Parent’s response — He would start shouting and crying and move away from it.
NEW ZEALAND FAMILY
Child’s response — I would call the hospital.
Parent’s response — He would come and get one of us if we were around or dial 999.
Parent’s response — He would come and get one of us if we were around or dial 999.
FILIPINO FAMILY
Child’s response — I would tell my mum about the shock or call the hospital.
Parent’s response — He’ll approach his mum.
Parent’s response — He’ll approach his mum.
INDIAN FAMILY
Child’s response — I would call my mother and tell her about it. I wouldn’t let her touch me because she might also get the shock as people can be conductors.
Parent’s response — She would call the family doctor if I wasn’t around. Otherwise, she’d just shout out my name.
Parent’s response — She would call the family doctor if I wasn’t around. Otherwise, she’d just shout out my name.
EMIRATI FAMILY
Child’s response — I’ll call an elder like my dad.
Parent’s response — He has learnt all the vital numbers, including the number for an ambulance.
Parent’s response — He has learnt all the vital numbers, including the number for an ambulance.
Dr Ionescu — This is a common scenario and before putting up electric fences, people should think twice. Again, children cannot get involved with medical care — they need to alert their parents or other adults in their vicinity.
Scenario 3: Allergic reactions/insect bites
IRAQI FAMILY
Child’s response — I’ll call mum and dad because I don’t know how to take care of it.
Parent’s response — He would either call me or his mother.
Parent’s response — He would either call me or his mother.
NEW ZEALAND FAMILY
Child’s response — We have all the medication and stuff in the cupboard and I would look for it, read the instructions and give it to her (sister).
Parent’s response — He would call one of us (mum or dad), or 999.
Parent’s response — He would call one of us (mum or dad), or 999.
FILIPINO FAMILY
Child’s response — I would tell my brother that I have an allergy or call the hospital.
Parent’s response — He’ll call me and show it to me.
Parent’s response — He’ll call me and show it to me.
INDIAN FAMILY
Child’s response — I would call my mother and then the family doctor. If he asks me to come to the clinic, I’d find a way to go there.
Parent’s response — She would use the anti-allergy medication and call me.
Parent’s response — She would use the anti-allergy medication and call me.
EMIRATI FAMILY
Child’s response — I would call my maid or I’ll call home if I am outside.
Parent’s response — He would call either the emergency number, and even our maid has the number for the ambulance.
Parent’s response — He would call either the emergency number, and even our maid has the number for the ambulance.
Dr Ionescu — Asthmatic children become very mature very quickly. Those who take medication must be taught to always be prepared with it, in case they develop an allergic reaction. They become responsible for taking care of their health and so will know what to do when the situation arises.
Video: Children and emergencies
Scenario 4: House on fire
IRAQI FAMILY
Child’s response — I will get a bucket of water and splash it on the fire and then run out of the house.
Parent’s response — He would leave the house, go down the stairs of our building and call 999.
Parent’s response — He would leave the house, go down the stairs of our building and call 999.
NEW ZEALAND FAMILY
Child’s response — I would yell for my mum and dad or if they’re not in the house I would call them or a friend and 999.
Parent’s response — He would yell out fire, get down below the smoke, and then run to the exit.
Parent’s response — He would yell out fire, get down below the smoke, and then run to the exit.
FILIPINO FAMILY
Child’s response — I would call the emergency number and go down the stairs, not the elevator.
Parent’s response — He would call his mum.
Parent’s response — He would call his mum.
INDIAN FAMILY
Child’s response — I would use the fire extinguisher. In my building, they put up the directions to use one. If it was a fire caused by a short circuit, I wouldn’t use any water.
Parent’s response — She would run downstairs following the emergency evacuation plan in our building. She also knows how to use the fire extinguisher.
Parent’s response — She would run downstairs following the emergency evacuation plan in our building. She also knows how to use the fire extinguisher.
EMIRATI FAMILY
Child’s response — I would crawl on the floor and try to get out. I can also call 997.
Parent’s response — I have trained my son and my house help in evacuation techniques as well as how to extinguish a fire. There is a fire extinguisher in our home. I would also expect them to crawl on the floor and try to leave as soon as possible.
Parent’s response — I have trained my son and my house help in evacuation techniques as well as how to extinguish a fire. There is a fire extinguisher in our home. I would also expect them to crawl on the floor and try to leave as soon as possible.
Dhumale —
- First, do not panic.
- If it’s a minor fire, raise the alarm. If it’s a full-blown one and can’t be tackled, close the door of the room/source and get out quickly.
- Worst-case scenario: Smoke rises so wet a towel and put it over your mouth, lower yourself to the ground and crawl to get to the exit.
- Children must be trained beforehand about escape routes, how to use the fire alarm and which emergency number to call.
Scenario 5: Gas leak
IRAQI FAMILY
Child’s response — I’ll get out of the house.
Parent’s response — He would leave the house and call an ambulance.
Parent’s response — He would leave the house and call an ambulance.
NEW ZEALAND FAMILY
Child’s response — I should cover my mouth and run outside.
Parent’s response — He’d call for me and tell me or his mum.
Parent’s response — He’d call for me and tell me or his mum.
FILIPINO FAMILY
Child’s response — I will open the window.
Parent’s response — It is not applicable to us because we are using the electric coooker, since he was three years old, so he doesn’t know what a gas leak is. But I’m sure that he would call my attention or the nearest supervising adult.
Parent’s response — It is not applicable to us because we are using the electric coooker, since he was three years old, so he doesn’t know what a gas leak is. But I’m sure that he would call my attention or the nearest supervising adult.
INDIAN FAMILY
Child’s response — I never enter the kitchen as a safety precaution. If I smelt gas, I wouldn’t switch on any electrical appliance or light a match. I would call Dewa and inform them about it.
Parent’s response — If she were to smell gas, she would open the windows.
Parent’s response — If she were to smell gas, she would open the windows.
EMIRATI FAMILY
Child’s response — I will call my dad.
Parent’s response — I don’t advise him to touch the gas stove or any other thing but the house help could turn the knob off.
Dhumale —
- Kids must be taught to identify the smell of leaking gas.
- Do not switch on any electric equipment, do not light a match.
- Exit the house at the earliest and ask for assistance.
- Opening windows should be left to adults — ventilation is only advisable when the source of the leak or fire is isolated, otherwise, when exposed to oxygen, even the smallest fire can spread within seconds.
Scenario 6: Witnessing someone choking
IRAQI FAMILY
Child’s response — I will call 999.
Parent’s response — He would call 999.
Parent’s response — He would call 999.
NEW ZEALAND FAMILY
Child’s response — I would call a doctor to help.
Parent’s response — He would try and find somebody to help.
Parent’s response — He would try and find somebody to help.
FILIPINO FAMILY
Child’s response — I’ll press the stomach hard and then call the hospital.
Parent’s response — He will call the attention of either his mum or any adult.
Parent’s response — He will call the attention of either his mum or any adult.
INDIAN FAMILY
Child’s response — I would approach the person and see if he/she can speak. I would then call the family doctor and tell him about the situation.
Parent’s response — I would expect her to call the police.
Parent’s response — I would expect her to call the police.
EMIRATI FAMILY
Child’s response — I would run out and call my neighbours.
Parent’s response — He should call 999.
Parent’s response — He should call 999.
Dr Ionescu — Children, especially as young as seven, cannot be expected to know what to do. They will obviously be very frightened and begin to cry. Older children should have the presence of mind to alert an adult and try to find medical assistance immediately.
Scenario 7: Lost in a public place
IRAQI FAMILY
Child’s response — I will go to security and tell them that I am lost and ask him to call my mum and dad to come get me.
Parent’s response — He would go to any security guard and ask them to call his mum or me.
Parent’s response — He would go to any security guard and ask them to call his mum or me.
NEW ZEALAND FAMILY
Child’s response — I would go to a shopkeeper or something and ask them to help me find them (parents).
Parent’s response — He would find a security guard or someone official and tell them that he’d lost us.
Parent’s response — He would find a security guard or someone official and tell them that he’d lost us.
FILIPINO FAMILY
Child’s response — I would go to a nearby telephone booth to call mum if I don’t have my mobile phone.
Parent’s response — He would call us on the mobile phone. He memorised my mobile number so he will ask a uniformed adult from a store or restaurant to say that he is lost and he would ask the attendant for a phone and he would call his mum.
Parent’s response — He would call us on the mobile phone. He memorised my mobile number so he will ask a uniformed adult from a store or restaurant to say that he is lost and he would ask the attendant for a phone and he would call his mum.
INDIAN FAMILY
Child’s response — I would go to the information booth or security and ask them to call my parents. I remember their cell numbers.
Parent’s response — She would find the security or contact the police.
Parent’s response — She would find the security or contact the police.
EMIRATI FAMILY
Child’s response — Call the police on 999.
Parent’s response — Firstly, our househelp never leaves him alone, but Dubai is one of the safest places in the world, and if he does get lost, he can always ask for assistance from passersby who can help him.
Parent’s response — Firstly, our househelp never leaves him alone, but Dubai is one of the safest places in the world, and if he does get lost, he can always ask for assistance from passersby who can help him.
Dr Taori —
- Take a deep breath and try not to cry.
- Contact any information centre or a security personnel.
Dr Ionescu — I don’t think many children panic when they get lost. They find things to do, other children to play with and may even follow strangers — now that can be dangerous. Finding a security personnel quickly is important.
Scenario 8: Left in a car for more than 5 minutes
IRAQI FAMILY
Child’s response — I’ll get out as soon as possible, lock the doors and find the closest person, so I can call my dad.
Parent’s response — He would get out of the car and ask the nearest person for help.
NEW ZEALAND FAMILY
Child’s response — I would smash open the window or I’d wait in the car for someone to come.
Parent’s response — He would probably sit there, and then bang on the windows after a while if he couldn’t get out and alert some people who were passing by.
Parent’s response — He would probably sit there, and then bang on the windows after a while if he couldn’t get out and alert some people who were passing by.
FILIPINO FAMILY
Child’s response — My mum never leaves me in a car.
Parent’s response — He is supposed to stay in the car, and lock it. And he won’t open the door for a stranger. But if it’s taking a long time, he will call us from his mobile phone. He’s instructed not to open the car for people other than us. But I usually do not leave him for more than five minutes.
Parent’s response — He is supposed to stay in the car, and lock it. And he won’t open the door for a stranger. But if it’s taking a long time, he will call us from his mobile phone. He’s instructed not to open the car for people other than us. But I usually do not leave him for more than five minutes.
INDIAN FAMILY
Child’s response — I would bang on the windows and get attention.
Parent’s response — I would expect her to just unlock the car and wait outside.
Parent’s response — I would expect her to just unlock the car and wait outside.
EMIRATI FAMILY
Child’s response — Try to open the window. If not, then I can break open the glass as I have gone for karate classes.
Parent’s response — He can draw the attention of passersby and has also been trained to break the glass, and while he might get cuts and bruises, as a last resort it is better to break the glass than pass out in the heat.
Parent’s response — He can draw the attention of passersby and has also been trained to break the glass, and while he might get cuts and bruises, as a last resort it is better to break the glass than pass out in the heat.
Dr Taori — Being in a car for more than five minutes, especially in the summer, can cause heatstroke and be fatal.
- The child should open the car window if it is manual.
- He or she should try to honk the horn or hit the door or window to get public attention.
- Loosen clothes and drink water or juice if kept inside the car.
Scenario 9: Earthquake
IRAQI FAMILY
Child’s response — I don’t know what an earthquake is.
Parent’s response — He would leave the house immediately.
Parent’s response — He would leave the house immediately.
NEW ZEALAND FAMILY
Child’s response — I would stand under a doorway or a table.
Parent’s response — He would get under a doorway or get under a table.
Parent’s response — He would get under a doorway or get under a table.
FILIPINO FAMILY
Child’s response — Hide under the table or bed.
Parent’s response — He would go under the table.
Parent’s response — He would go under the table.
INDIAN FAMILY
Child’s response — I would grab the important documents and a first-aid kit before running downstairs. I would then go to an open space so that if a building is collapsing, I am safe.
Parent’s response — She would just run downstairs.
Parent’s response — She would just run downstairs.
EMIRATI FAMILY
Child’s response — I’ll run out of the building and go to an open area.
Parent’s response — He should evacuate the building immediately and go to a big open area.
Parent’s response — He should evacuate the building immediately and go to a big open area.
Dr Taori —
- Crouch with your head between your knees and covered with your hands.
- Choose a safe place like under the table or a couch.
- Try to stay near a wall or a pillar.
When disaster strikes, are your children prepared?
According to Dr Gabriel Ionescu, head of Paediatric Surgery at Tawam Hospital in Al Ain, children’s responses in emergency situations can be “unpredictable, especially during situations involving trauma”. He compared them to another species that is quick to react, but often reckless in its response — chickens.
“Usually, children flee the scene or run straight into trouble, not realising the consequences of their choices. It’s up to their parents to prepare their children and teach them what to do beforehand.”
A recent US Census report found that 19 per cent of the nation’s children, between the ages 5 and 14, were left at home alone regularly. So are they able to cope when they’re on their own?
It is not a far-fetched idea, according to Dr Ionescu. With the spread of literacy and greater exposure to media, children have become more clued in — all they need is a little guidance and communication. As someone who works in the accident and emergency department of Welcare Ambulatory Care Centre, in Dubai, Dr Lalit Taori knows this to be true.
In his experience, he said he often finds that culture has a role to play in children’s behaviour during traumatic moments. Dr Taori said those from the West are often more responsible and informed than those who hail from the East.
“When a small child requires stitches, I have seen parents gently explaining the process — these children tend to be calm and cooperative. But then there are other children who scream and cry because they do not know what to expect and have no assistance from their emotional parents.
"According to Dr Taori, children in the modern age are not being given enough room to become independent. He said: “Parents are often over-indulgent and pamper kids. It’s important for children to learn and experience things for themselves so they can grow. Parents can help by preparing them.”
Have your say
Does your child know what to do in an emergency situation? Have you made an attempt to talk to your child about what to do? What more can be done to ensure children know how to react in these kinds of situations? Tell us by posting a comment below.
EMIRATI FAMILY
Father: Saif Easa Al Meskiri
Son: Easa Saif, an eight-year-old
Emirate: Dubai
Image Credit: Supplied
INDIAN FAMILY
Mother: Swati Basu, a homemaker
Daughter: Kehkashan Basu,
a 10-year-old
Emirate: Dubai
Image Credit: Supplied
NEW ZEALAND FAMILY
Father: James Evans, an air traffic controller
Son: Jack Evans, a nine-year-old
Emirate: Dubai
Image Credit: Supplied
IRAQI FAMILY
Father: Yasir Al Jaafar, a car salesman
Son: Samer Al Jaafar, a six-year-old
Emirate: Sharjah
Image Credit: Supplied
FILIPINO FAMILY
Parents: Red and Gigit Vargas
Son: Diego Vargas, a nine-year-old
Emirate: Dubai
Image Credit: Supplied
