The Red Cross of Northern Nevada is teaching kids how to use a simple pillowcase to make a home disaster preparedness kit. Third and fourth graders at Sepulveda Elementary School in Sparks took time on Monday to practice disaster drills and put together a disaster kit using a pillowcase. They brainstormed some things to put inside, like food, water and even a stuffed animal.
Red Cross Executive Director Zanny Marsh says pillowcases are accessible. “They're fairly inexpensive and nearly every home has them. For younger kids, they're easy to grab in the event of an emergency,” she said.
Third grader Tanner Stewart learned what to do if an earthquake strikes. "Earthquakes we get under our desks and protect your head and neck. Fires; get out and stay out and get low because the smoke is rising," Stewart explained.
Fourth grader Kaitlin Board learned what “not” to do if a fire breaks out at home. "Don't grab anything, just go as quickly as you can to make sure you're staying safe. Leave the door open so your puppy can leave, but don't go searching," she said.
Research shows if kids practice these drills at school, they tend to practice at home. So the kids learned how to make an escape plan, and to set up a place to meet if they have to leave their home quickly.
Teacher Melissa Pruyn says it's a great way to teach an important lesson. "They are excited about it and interested in it and this personalizes it. What can you do at home? How can you protect your family and how can you make it safe? It's not such a threatening thing," she said.
The "Pillowcase Project" is a team effort between the Red Cross and Disney, to get kids involved in preparing for possible fires, earthquakes or other disasters. So far the local Red Cross has presented the program to more than 600 children in Northern Nevada.
