The Baby and Kids Expo 2026 became the perfect platform for her to share vital information for families. Focusing on emergencies at home, her insights perfectly mirrored the Expo’s theme: Care before Crisis.

Truly passionate people are the ultimate translators. They don’t hide behind medical jargon or cause panic; instead, they take terrifying, complex emergencies and break them down into practical, everyday steps. That is Zena’s gift.

In this writing, we honor her wisdom by passing on the simple, life-saving habits she shared.

The Safe Phrase

Your teenage child may find themselves in a situation where they feel unsafe, but find it difficult to say so openly. To fight this, create a safe phrase. It should be a seemingly casual sentence that, when mentioned over the phone, alerts you immediately without alerting anyone around them. It is your trigger to step in and protect them.

As an example, Zena shared this: “Can you make me some warm chocolate when I get home?”

To the others, it sounds like a sweet request. To a parent, it means: I am not safe, come and get me right now.

It gives a child a back-door exit from danger without losing their dignity.

The Home First Aid Kit

Many of us have a first aid kit in the car because it is a requirement. But there is an equal, if not greater, importance to having one at home. Ensure you have a dedicated kit stocked with the essentials—like antihistamines for sudden allergies and paracetamol for fevers.

Having these basics on hand means you aren’t scrambling to a pharmacy in the middle of the night. It turns a potential household panic into a manageable situation.

The Emergency Phone Call

In today’s digital age, children as young as three years old can effortlessly navigate a smartphone. They can swipe, unlock, and find their favorite game or video without any help. But Zena poses a crucial question to every parent: can they use that same phone to make a call in a real emergency?

If a mother collapses at home and cannot move, does the child know how to bypass the lock screen and dial for help?

We must teach our children the function of these devices, not just the entertainment. It is a simple, five-minute conversation that can completely change the outcome of a household crisis.

Managing Seizures

In the event of a seizure, the natural reaction is panic. Instead, Zena advises placing the child on their side on the floor; in this position, they are less likely to bite or hurt their tongue. Clear the surrounding area of any objects to prevent injury.

Then comes the hardest part: as terrifying as the moment feels, you must time the seizure. If it lasts under five minutes, you are in a safer zone. If it surpasses five minutes or repeats back-to-back, a hospital visit becomes critical.

The comforting note of hope Zena leaves us with is that, in many cases, children naturally outgrow these seizures as they age.

The Medicine of Dance

Zena closed on a beautiful note. Healthcare isn’t just about avoiding sickness; it is about embracing life. She advocates for dance as an activity that families should take on together, not just for the social bonding, but for the immense physical and mental health benefits that come with it.

And she practices what she preaches. Turning 65 this year, she is a master of movement. She ended her session with a touch of Salsa, moving with a grace that was simply amazing to behold. As the co-founder and director of ValRich Arts—a creative arts production company nurturing talent in music, dance, and drama—she has found a way to perfectly merge preventative health with the arts.

---

It is easy to look past these aspects because they seem so simple on the surface. But beneath that simplicity lies a life-saving ability. Zena Bernacca’s message is a gentle reminder that the best time to handle a crisis is before it ever knocks on your door.

True healthcare starts at home, in the quiet, ordinary moments where we choose readiness over panic. Taking care before the crisis is the greatest gift we can give to the people we love.