It is essential to keep cool and remain calm in the face of adversity, including when facing dangerous conditions like those that present during a natural disaster. Adults may experience anxiety when facing adversity. Children who may not be mature enough to fully understand what’s going on may worry more than adults, which can increase their chances of being harmed in dangerous situations.

Making disaster preparedness a routine component of family life can take some of the mystery out of what to do in the event of an emergency. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, it is never too early to start teaching kids about preparing for emergencies. Children are the most vulnerable when disaster strikes. Without sufficient preparation, children may suffer developmental, physical and psychological trauma following exposure to a disaster or another emergency.

Ready.gov and the VA offer tools and information to help all members of the family prepare for potential disasters. The following are some of their suggestions.

Get talking. Talk about storms or conditions that may occur where you live. For example, if you live where hurricanes are prevalent, you might want to address hurricane information more so than someone who lives where tornadoes or earthquakes are more likely. Explain what can be expected during these storms and find out if kids have a cursory understanding of what to do if one strikes.

Make a plan. Children rely on the adults around them to provide direction. Make sure kids understand who to call and where to meet as part of an emergency plan. Write down the instructions and important phone numbers and keep this information in a place that’s accessible to children. If the emergency plan includes evacuating the house, practice getting up and moving safely but quickly together.

Assemble emergency supplies. Include children in building a kit that includes a three-day supply of water, nonperishable food, flashlights, blankets, and kid-friendly activities. For a detailed list of what to place in an emergency supply kit, refer to suggestions from the American Red Cross and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Employ additional resources. Kids may learn better through stories and activities geared to their level. The Red Cross and FEMA partnered to create the “Prepare with Pedro” program, which utilizes an activity book, a preparedness game and additional resources to teach kids about emergency preparedness in a fun way.

Instructing children about natural disasters and emergency preparedness can take some of the mystery out of how to behave in these situations. It also may make surviving an emergency much easier for the entire family.