Did you know the various ways children display stress immediately after a disaster? Or how important it is for a child to know his or her address and full name?
During the PSEG and Sesame Workshop safety assembly at Clarendon Elementary School in Secaucus on March 22, families learned several important lessons so they could prepare for possible hazards.
The series of assemblies started at 9 a.m., and lasted until all five groups of pre-K and kindergarten classes got to attend. Parents and the media were invited as well.
More importantly, the popular Sesame Street character Elmo came to give lessons and take photos with the kids and their families.
It was an exciting morning for kindergartener Oliana, who spent her time listening to the safety tips from the Fire Department, Police Department, and a member of PSEG.
She was clearly moved by the presentation. During Fire Chief Bryan Schoch’s explanation of a smoke detector, Oliana asked her mother Olivia, “Mommy, do we have batteries in ours?”
Olivia said afterward, “I was actually curious to see what the safety presentation was about. It’s good for myself to go home to check the fire detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and everything. You hear such tragedies, like what happened Christmas day, so it’s always good to be cautious.”
She was referring to a fire that happened in the basement of a Myrtle Avenue home last December. The fire destroyed the home. While three occupants escaped, their cat perished. Firefighters suspected the fire started in an old, unused electric stove in the basement.
Town Attorney Keri Ann Eglentowicsz introduced the fire and police departments, along with PSEG Regional Public Affairs Manager Caren Freyer-DeSouzce, and, of course, Elmo. All of them assured children that help is always around.
After the assembly, emergency medical technician Gissell Fransisco said that when it comes to preparing children for emergencies, “It’s good to start off young.”
The PSEG Foundation began working with Sesame Workshop after Superstorm Sandy to start a regional campaign called “Let’s Get Ready: Planning Together for Emergencies” for children. Mayor Michael Gonnelli hosted last month’s event. This is the first time PSEG and Sesame Workshop did the event in a school before, as in the past it took place in public arenas like Madison Square Garden.
Huber Street School students also came to Clarendon for the presentations.
The tips
Attendees of the event received a PSEG and Sesame Workshop pamphlet called Here For Each Other: Helping Families After Emergencies. Among other lessons in the pamphlet, parents were taught to notice the following signs of stress in their children during or after a tragedy: fear of being alone, fear from the news or other disasters, becoming less verbal after emergencies, and outbursts or tantrums.
Parents can combat these stressors by telling kids, when parents leave, when they’ll come back, and implementing comfort routines like a bedtime story. Parents may also try to get the children to use words instead of actions to address their stress.
“Call 9-1-1!” – Crowd of Clarendon and Huber St. kindergarteners
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At the event, children were assured via video starring Sesame Street’s Rosita that sirens aren’t a noise to be scared of, because it means that help is on the way.
Police Captain Carlos Goyenechea showed a slideshow of common street signs for the children. He discussed the meanings of stop signs, pedestrian crossing signs, and railroad crossing signs. He told children not to get in a car with a stranger, even if the stranger offers them money. Most importantly, he asked the crowd what to do if anyone in the house is in extreme danger, and the whole crowd exclaimed, “Call 9-1-1!”
EMT director G. Berchtold agreed. “We want to emphasis calling 9-1-1 for them. It’s always better at a young age – like positive reinforcement, because if an adult is in trouble, then it’s the child that has to get up and do something.”
Kids also received a pamphlet explaining how to set up a family safety kit, the importance of knowing their address and full names of family members, and much more.
Families can learn more by downloading the Let’s Get Ready app or visiting SesameStreet.org/ready.
Parents were happy to get their children’s photo taken with Elmo afterward. “I’m looking forward to bringing a picture home of my son and Elmo,” expressed Niang, mother of preschooler Papa-Ousmaane.
The mayor and his grandson Jude Malanka posed for a photo with Elmo as well.
Samantha Meyers can be reached at samantham@hudsonreporter.com .