New research commissioned by the national nonprofit Home Safety Council finds that while a majority of mothers have talked with their children about preparing for emergencies, very few have taken action to ensure that their family is prepared to respond in the event of an emergency. The survey assesses how ready U.S. families really are when it comes to emergency situations.

The survey polled mothers and their children ages six to 11 and found that while nearly 60% of mothers feel their families are prepared for an emergency situation, less than one-third have developed and discussed a family communications plan. Even fewer families have assembled readiness kits. The children surveyed echo the same sentiment with 64% saying they think their family is prepared for an emergency, but only 27% reporting that their family has developed and discussed a communications plan or assembled readiness kits to use in an emergency situation.

“With our new research results showing that busy parents are not taking the basic steps needed to prepare their families for emergencies, it’s time to call on kids to take the lead in driving family readiness,” said Meri-K Appy, president of the Home Safety Council. “Children can often be the catalyst for getting the whole family to take positive action, like developing a family communications plan and assembling emergency supplies kits.”

In September, HSC launched the Kids Prepare America Contest and calling on third and fourth grade students to take the lead in driving family readiness efforts at home. By showing HSC what they have done to help prepare their families and communities, students can become eligible to win a trip to Washington, D.C. Ten grand prize student winners will be selected to visit the nation’s capital with an adult family member, teacher and safety partner from the community to attend an awards dinner on June 5, 2008 in their honor. Visit kidsprepareamerica.org for contest entry forms and rules.