Earthquake Awareness Prevention in Childhood

Mexico is a country with high seismic activity. Its capital, Mexico City, is considered especially vulnerable due to its geographical characteristics, urbanization and dense population. In this context, risk awareness coupled with education focused on emergency and prevention management is key in minimizing the negative effects of such disasters. Increasing seismic preparation in the Mexican population requires disseminating solid theoretical knowledge in addition to actionable and practical recommendations, i.e. life-saving action protocols, as early as childhood. We focus on an educational strategy co-designed with children, through an agile development process, to promote preparedness via a meaningful communication system that is relevant and efficient. Our contribution is two-fold, namely: a workshop involving children, teachers, and emergency staff to encourage interest in risk prevention during earthquakes, supported by a manual to organise autonomous and self-managing incrementally improving workshops; and a video game prototype to encourage children in decision-making when facing earthquakes.