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Parents' Guide to

Seconds From Disaster

By Emily Ashby, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Intriguing docuseries dissects modern tragedies.

TV National Geographic Channel Educational 2004
Seconds From Disaster Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

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What's the Story?

SECONDS FROM DISASTER recaps the chain of events leading up to some of modern history's most devastating tragedies, including the Oklahoma City bombing, a fatal train derailment in Germany, and the meltdown of the Chernobyl nuclear plant. Each episode of the series combines video footage, photos, eyewitness accounts, and expert testimony to piece together a timeline for the featured event. Dramatic re-enactments, interviews with survivors and their family members, and computer-generated imagery offer fascinating but emotionally stark looks at the reality of the disasters from the viewpoints of those involved. With information gleaned from post-disaster tests and simulations, high-tech replications give viewers a detailed look at the scientific causes of the tragedies. In an episode about the Oklahoma City bombing, for example, graphics depict not only the act of terrorism but also a detailed view of the building's collapse from a structural point of view.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

While there's a lot of knowledge to be garnered from this intriguing and very thorough series, its intensely emotional content means that it's not the best choice for family viewing. Re-enacted scenes of corpses and victims fleeing disaster sites will likely upset young viewers, and video footage of the devastation underscores the harsh reality of the subject matter. Consider previewing an episode or two before sharing the series with teens; if you do, you can use the opportunity to discuss your family's precautionary disaster plan.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how people respond to crises. How do survivors continue on after experiencing such life-altering events? Where do people find strength in difficult times? How do emergency personnel prepare for the many contingencies of disasters? Is a program like this exploiting a painful experience, or using it as a teaching tool? What's the difference? Parents can also use this opportunity to refresh family members' knowledge of emergency procedures where they live.

TV Details

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