A Safe Return to School: 5 Key Components to Back-to-School Emergency Preparedness
Written by Andrea Davis
Back to school is right around the corner. As you think through what supplies and clothing your kids need don’t forget to spend a moment discussing emergency preparedness with them. Integrating emergency preparedness into your back-to-school routine helps empower your kids to be confident when a crisis strikes.
Here are my five tips for integrating emergency preparedness into your back-to-school routine:
Teamwork and Training: It takes a village to prepare for emergencies. School staff, teachers, parents, local authorities, students – everyone's got a part to play. Regular training ensures we're all emergency-ready and can act swiftly and smartly when the time comes. Ask your school administration and teachers what types of emergencies they will be training for during the school year.
Stay Informed about School Emergency Protocols: Familiarize yourself and your kids with the emergency protocols implemented by their school. Attend any parent meetings or workshops related to school safety so you're aware of the procedures the school follows during different emergencies. Ask for a copy of your school’s emergency and crisis communication plans. Discuss them with your kids.
Teach Preparedness and Basic First Aid: Introduce your kids to basic preparedness and first aid skills appropriate for their age. Demonstrate how to clean and bandage minor wounds, what to do if someone is choking, and how to call for help during an emergency. Consider enrolling them in a child-friendly first aid course for a more in-depth understanding.
Encourage Situational Awareness: Teach your kids to be observant of their surroundings. Encourage them to identify exit signs, emergency assembly points, and fire alarms in public places. Instilling situational awareness can help them react more effectively during emergencies.
Develop a Family Communication Plan: Discuss with your kids how you will communicate if standard modes of communications are down. Consider designating an out-of-area contact, create a family social media check in site, and develop an emergency contact card with important phone numbers to be kept in your kids backpacks.
Resources for talking to your kids about emergency preparedness. Ready.gov., The American Red Cross and Save the Children.
