Preparing Your Home For Storm Season
- Johnathan H. Miller
- Jun 2
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Storms can be scary for all of us but especially children. The loud thunder, flashing lightning, and sudden changes in the environment often cause anxiety and fear. As a parent or caregiver, you want your kids to feel safe and confident during these moments. Preparing children for storms at home is not just about safety—it’s about helping them manage their emotions and stay calm. Using fun and engaging strategies can make this preparation easier and more effective.
Here are five practical ways to help your kids feel secure and ready when storms come.
Practice the Space
MAKE THE SAFE SPACE A GAME BEFORE IT’S EVER A NECESSITY
Don’t wait until severe weather is approaching to introduce children to a shelter area. Maybe you do not have daily access, instead, turn sheltering into a regular family activity. Build a fort, have an indoor campout, read books together, play card games, color, or enjoy a special snack in the space. The goal is to create positive memories long before a storm is in the forecast.
By practicing in a fun, low-pressure way, children learn that moving to the safe space is normal rather than frightening. They become familiar with the routine, the location, and the expectations. Over time, these simple activities help teach valuable life skills including patience, adaptability, following directions, and staying calm when plans suddenly change.
Think of it as confidence training disguised as play. When children have already experienced the shelter space as a place of comfort, connection, and even adventure, they are much more likely to respond calmly during a storm or any other stressful situation that requires the family to pause, regroup, and work together.
This approach isn’t just about storm preparedness—it’s about helping children build the confidence to handle uncertainty wherever they encounter it.
Show the space clearly: Walk your kids through the shelter area, whether it’s a basement, a closet, or an interior room without windows.
Explain why it’s safe: Use simple language to describe how this space protects them from the storm.
Visit regularly: Make it a routine to spend a few minutes in the shelter area, so it feels familiar and not intimidating.
Turning the shelter area into a fun fort can change the way kids view storm time. Instead of a scary place, it becomes an exciting adventure.
Use blankets, pillows, and chairs to create a cozy fort.
Decorate with fairy lights or favorite stuffed animals to make it inviting.
Invite your kids to help build it so they feel involved and proud.
This approach creates positive memories linked to the shelter space. When the storm arrives, kids will look forward to their special fort rather than feeling anxious. It also encourages creativity and teamwork.
Create an Activity Kit
Storms often mean power outages or limited screen time. Boredom can increase anxiety, so preparing your home for storm season means having a kit filled with non-digital activities helps keep kids engaged and calm.
Include coloring books, crayons, and puzzles.
Add simple board games or card games.
Pack storybooks or a notebook for drawing and writing.
Keep the kit in the shelter area or somewhere easy to grab when the storm starts. You can personalize it with your child’s favorite activities. This kit not only distracts but also gives children a sense of normalcy and control.
Comfort Items Help Kids Feel Safe During Storms
When severe weather strikes, children often look for familiar things that help them feel secure. A favorite stuffed animal, blanket, toy, or comfort item can provide reassurance when the sounds of wind, thunder, or emergency alerts feel overwhelming.
Before storm season arrives, ask your child which items help them feel calm and safe. Keep those comfort items clean, accessible, and included as part of your family’s storm preparedness plan.
Comfort objects do more than simply occupy a child during an emergency. They provide a sense of familiarity and routine during a situation that may feel unpredictable. For younger children especially, having a beloved stuffed animal or blanket nearby can help reduce anxiety, promote calm behavior, and provide a reminder that they are safe and protected.
Families should also remember that pets may experience stress during storms. Include your pets in your preparedness plans by keeping leashes, carriers, food, water, medications, and a favorite toy or blanket readily available. Just like children, pets often find comfort in familiar objects and routines during stressful situations.
Storm preparedness is about more than flashlights and batteries. Helping children and pets feel secure before an emergency occurs can make the experience less frightening for everyone involved.
Assign Responsibilities When Preparing Your Home For Storm Season
Giving children small tasks during storm preparation helps them feel useful and confident. It shifts their focus from fear to action.
Let them help gather supplies for the activity kit.
Assign simple jobs like closing windows or bringing the comfort items.
Encourage them to check the weather updates with you.
When kids have responsibilities, they feel part of the team keeping the family safe. This sense of contribution builds self-esteem and reduces feelings of helplessness.
Emergency Kit
Build an Emergency Kit Before the Storm Arrives
Every household should have a basic emergency kit ready before severe weather threatens. Start with the essentials: bottled water (at least one gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, flashlights, extra batteries, a first-aid kit, medications, pet supplies, hygiene items, and copies of important documents stored in a waterproof container.
One of the smartest additions to any storm kit is a reliable backup power source. The Celestron PowerTank 12 Rechargeable Portable Power Supply is an excellent option because it can help keep phones, tablets, and other small devices charged when the power goes out. It features built-in USB ports, a flashlight, and enough portable power to stay connected to weather alerts and emergency information during an outage.
Don't wait until a storm is approaching to gather supplies. Assemble your kit now, store it in an easy-to-access location, and review it regularly to replace expired items.
The printable Storm Ready Checklists below can help you inventory supplies, identify missing items, and make sure your family is prepared before severe weather strikes.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Print our Storm Confidence Challenge and help your child practice
storm safety while building confidence and reducing anxiety at home. Perfect for hurricane season, severe thunderstorms, and emergency preparedness planning.
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