School Safety Tips
There are a number of safety concerns for schools, from natural disasters like tornadoes and accidents like fires to violence and theft committed by students. Administrators, teachers and students can help reduce the risks of these kinds of problems by being prepared.
Emergency Preparedness
Students, teachers and staff in a school should know what to do if there is an emergency, such as a fire, tornado or threat of violence. Drills should be practiced regularly throughout the school year. The building should also be prepared for emergencies. In addition to signs marking the exits, there should be maps posted that show the quickest way out from each room. The building should also have smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers. Being able to seal off areas of the building, having cameras around the school to gather information in case of an emergency can also be helpful.
School Violence
Teachers and adults can learn to be aware of students who may pose a risk of violent behavior. Students should also be taught to seek help if they think or know that someone is planning to do something violent or if they have seen a fight breaking out. Teachers who are not able to stop a fight themselves should know what to do to get additional help quickly. Security features like metal detectors, backpack checks, and security guards patrolling the school can also help keep the school safe.
Other Concerns
Students and adults who use the Internet for class work, or recreation at school, should know how to protect themselves online. They should keep their account passwords private and not share personal or financial information with others online who may scam them or may be predators. Large sums of money and expensive electronics should not be brought to school, where other students may be tempted to steal them.
The school bus is another place to check for safety. Students need to know appropriate conduct on and around the bus.
An often overlooked safety concern is the weight of backpacks. Heavy backpacks, particularly on younger children, can tire students out and, over time, do serious damage to their backs. Schools can try to cut down on the number of textbooks students need to carry to and from school each day, and students can learn to cut down on other things they carry with them.
Emergency Preparedness
Students, teachers and staff in a school should know what to do if there is an emergency, such as a fire, tornado or threat of violence. Drills should be practiced regularly throughout the school year. The building should also be prepared for emergencies. In addition to signs marking the exits, there should be maps posted that show the quickest way out from each room. The building should also have smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinklers, and fire extinguishers. Being able to seal off areas of the building, having cameras around the school to gather information in case of an emergency can also be helpful.
School Violence
Teachers and adults can learn to be aware of students who may pose a risk of violent behavior. Students should also be taught to seek help if they think or know that someone is planning to do something violent or if they have seen a fight breaking out. Teachers who are not able to stop a fight themselves should know what to do to get additional help quickly. Security features like metal detectors, backpack checks, and security guards patrolling the school can also help keep the school safe.
Other Concerns
Students and adults who use the Internet for class work, or recreation at school, should know how to protect themselves online. They should keep their account passwords private and not share personal or financial information with others online who may scam them or may be predators. Large sums of money and expensive electronics should not be brought to school, where other students may be tempted to steal them.
The school bus is another place to check for safety. Students need to know appropriate conduct on and around the bus.
An often overlooked safety concern is the weight of backpacks. Heavy backpacks, particularly on younger children, can tire students out and, over time, do serious damage to their backs. Schools can try to cut down on the number of textbooks students need to carry to and from school each day, and students can learn to cut down on other things they carry with them.
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