What if a disaster strikes while your child is alone? Disaster specialist Misa Fujita proposes '8 Steps of Disaster Prevention for Children' for Children's Day
Master Lock Sentry Japan (MLSJ) collaborates with disaster specialist Misa Fujita to introduce 'Leave-Behind Disaster Prevention,' a concept using fireproof safes to ensure children can prioritize evacuation when home alone.
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- 📰 Published: April 29, 2026 at 01:05
- 🔍 Collected: April 28, 2026 at 16:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 28, 2026 at 16:47 (15 min after Collected)
Master Lock Sentry Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Higashi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; hereinafter 'MLSJ') is releasing information about 'Disaster Prevention Education for Children' ahead of Children's Day on May 5th, together with Misa Fujita, a disaster prevention specialist and parent of two children.
The Great East Japan Earthquake (14:46) occurred during the timing of school dismissal, while the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (05:46), the Kumamoto Earthquake (21:26), and the Noto Peninsula Earthquake (16:10 on New Year's Day) all happened when families were typically together at home. In other words, there has been no major earthquake so far that occurred specifically when children were 'all alone.' However, there is no guarantee that a massive earthquake will not occur when parents are away in the future. To ensure that lives are protected even if a disaster strikes when a child is alone, preparation for such situations is necessary. 'Escape-Only Disaster Prevention,' born from the philosophy of 'prioritizing the protection of life above all else,' advocates for 'Disaster Prevention Education for Children' from parents to children on the occasion of Children's Day.
'Escape-Only Disaster Prevention' is a new disaster prevention concept that utilizes fireproof and waterproof safes used in daily life. This defines 'Leave-Behind Disaster Prevention' as securely protecting things that each person values and items essential for rebuilding life when daily life returns, in addition to the recommended disaster bags/backpacks ('Take-With Disaster Prevention'). This new concept enables rapid evacuation by making evacuation the only option, eliminating worry and hesitation in an emergency.
Even if a disaster occurs while at home and there is a risk of house damage, it becomes possible to flee (evacuate) immediately while protecting important items, and even if away from home, there is no need to return to a house at risk of collapse.
Furthermore, during large-scale disasters, children are said to feel psychological stress more intensely than adults (*1). After the Great East Japan Earthquake, many 'Remembrance Return' activities were conducted, where family photos, mortuary tablets, and school bags were found in the rubble, carefully cleaned, and returned to their owners. These activities were emphasized because reclaiming cherished items fills the sense of loss for survivors and becomes emotional nourishment for life reconstruction. For children especially, it played a major role in reconnecting disrupted daily life (*2).
(*1) Nippon Foundation Journal https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/journal/2026/121023/disaster
Resource collection for psychological supporters: Understanding and responding to children's grief reactions after disasters
https://www.jstss.org/docs/2022031100014/file_contents/ito_nakajima_0519.pdf
(*2) Sanriku Archive Disaster Center https://sanriku-archive.org/
Thinking about 【Disaster Prevention Education for Children】 with Mom Disaster Specialist Misa Fujita
Q: Do disaster prevention ideas differ between children and adults?
"Disasters take away everyone's daily life unreasonably, but the troubles after being affected differ between adults and children. Therefore, especially for households with infants or toddlers, it is very important to consider preparations tailored to children."
"In our case, the 2018 Northern Osaka Prefecture Earthquake was the catalyst for us to think about daily life and preparation as a set. At that time, my sons were 4 and 6 years old."
"The Great East Japan Earthquake happened when I was pregnant with my eldest son, and although I felt the need for disaster measures at home, I didn't make much progress... I ended up experiencing a tremor of lower 6 on the JMA scale without a disaster backpack or even a water supply."
"Being affected by a disaster without preparation or knowledge is very frightening. From that experience, I decided to face disaster prevention seriously to protect my precious children."
Let's prepare with your children! 【8 Steps of Disaster Prevention for Children】
① Clarify the criteria for 'Evacuation' and 'Staying at Home' (*3)
(1) Check if there is any risk of collapse (cracks in pillars or inner walls) or fire in your home or neighbor's house. If there is no danger, stay at home.
(2) If you are unsure, evacuate.
(3) If you are away from home, decide on family rules such as meeting children at the local elementary school designated as an evacuation shelter.
Also, prepare for typhoons and heavy rain by checking your local hazard map and 'Evacuation Action Judgment Flow.'
(*3) Cabinet Office Disaster Prevention Page: Revision of Guidelines for Evacuation Information (March 2026)
https://www.bousai.go.jp/oukyu/hinanjouhou/r3_hinanjouhou_guideline/
② Discuss communication methods as a family
Using SNS or LINE is recommended, but assume cases where smartphones cannot be used and include the use of public phones as an option.
The Great East Japan Earthquake (14:46) occurred during the timing of school dismissal, while the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake (05:46), the Kumamoto Earthquake (21:26), and the Noto Peninsula Earthquake (16:10 on New Year's Day) all happened when families were typically together at home. In other words, there has been no major earthquake so far that occurred specifically when children were 'all alone.' However, there is no guarantee that a massive earthquake will not occur when parents are away in the future. To ensure that lives are protected even if a disaster strikes when a child is alone, preparation for such situations is necessary. 'Escape-Only Disaster Prevention,' born from the philosophy of 'prioritizing the protection of life above all else,' advocates for 'Disaster Prevention Education for Children' from parents to children on the occasion of Children's Day.
'Escape-Only Disaster Prevention' is a new disaster prevention concept that utilizes fireproof and waterproof safes used in daily life. This defines 'Leave-Behind Disaster Prevention' as securely protecting things that each person values and items essential for rebuilding life when daily life returns, in addition to the recommended disaster bags/backpacks ('Take-With Disaster Prevention'). This new concept enables rapid evacuation by making evacuation the only option, eliminating worry and hesitation in an emergency.
Even if a disaster occurs while at home and there is a risk of house damage, it becomes possible to flee (evacuate) immediately while protecting important items, and even if away from home, there is no need to return to a house at risk of collapse.
Furthermore, during large-scale disasters, children are said to feel psychological stress more intensely than adults (*1). After the Great East Japan Earthquake, many 'Remembrance Return' activities were conducted, where family photos, mortuary tablets, and school bags were found in the rubble, carefully cleaned, and returned to their owners. These activities were emphasized because reclaiming cherished items fills the sense of loss for survivors and becomes emotional nourishment for life reconstruction. For children especially, it played a major role in reconnecting disrupted daily life (*2).
(*1) Nippon Foundation Journal https://www.nippon-foundation.or.jp/journal/2026/121023/disaster
Resource collection for psychological supporters: Understanding and responding to children's grief reactions after disasters
https://www.jstss.org/docs/2022031100014/file_contents/ito_nakajima_0519.pdf
(*2) Sanriku Archive Disaster Center https://sanriku-archive.org/
Thinking about 【Disaster Prevention Education for Children】 with Mom Disaster Specialist Misa Fujita
Q: Do disaster prevention ideas differ between children and adults?
"Disasters take away everyone's daily life unreasonably, but the troubles after being affected differ between adults and children. Therefore, especially for households with infants or toddlers, it is very important to consider preparations tailored to children."
"In our case, the 2018 Northern Osaka Prefecture Earthquake was the catalyst for us to think about daily life and preparation as a set. At that time, my sons were 4 and 6 years old."
"The Great East Japan Earthquake happened when I was pregnant with my eldest son, and although I felt the need for disaster measures at home, I didn't make much progress... I ended up experiencing a tremor of lower 6 on the JMA scale without a disaster backpack or even a water supply."
"Being affected by a disaster without preparation or knowledge is very frightening. From that experience, I decided to face disaster prevention seriously to protect my precious children."
Let's prepare with your children! 【8 Steps of Disaster Prevention for Children】
① Clarify the criteria for 'Evacuation' and 'Staying at Home' (*3)
(1) Check if there is any risk of collapse (cracks in pillars or inner walls) or fire in your home or neighbor's house. If there is no danger, stay at home.
(2) If you are unsure, evacuate.
(3) If you are away from home, decide on family rules such as meeting children at the local elementary school designated as an evacuation shelter.
Also, prepare for typhoons and heavy rain by checking your local hazard map and 'Evacuation Action Judgment Flow.'
(*3) Cabinet Office Disaster Prevention Page: Revision of Guidelines for Evacuation Information (March 2026)
https://www.bousai.go.jp/oukyu/hinanjouhou/r3_hinanjouhou_guideline/
② Discuss communication methods as a family
Using SNS or LINE is recommended, but assume cases where smartphones cannot be used and include the use of public phones as an option.