Safety is a big concern for schools nowadays from threats ranging from dangerous trespassers to machine mishaps, from medical emergencies to kidnappers. Being prepared for such crisis situations takes awareness and planning. There are many points to be taken care of, make everyone a part of it and it won’t be a long way. After all, children are the future builders and they deserve utmost care and protection. Ensure their safety at safety with these tips.

1. Safety Measures

All the safety requirements should be fulfilled appropriately. The whole school premises should have a high fence and all entry and exit points should have proper gates. Surveillance cameras, fire extinguisher, emergency exits, warning signs should not be given a miss. A new innovation, usb panic button can also be used at prime locations with computers to get immediate help during emergencies.

 2. Security Personals Are A Must

Security personals are just as important as teachers in a school. Unguarded gates and school premises are extremely unsafe. The guards can check visitors, keep a proper record of people entering into the school, notice and report suspicious activities of outsiders. Their presence is very much needed in keeping the school safe even after the functional hours. They provide security 24*7 and that’s why they are a must.

 3. Be Strict on Entry Policy

Do not be lenient on granting access to outsiders into the school premises. There should be a genuine reason for the entry of every individual other than students, employees, parents, and guardians. Permission should be granted by a responsible person. Records should be maintained properly of those individuals containing all details like name, address, the purpose of visit, contact number, time of entry and exit, etc.

 4. Bring in ID System

Almost all the schools nowadays implement ID scheme as it strengthens the security level. Every person who regularly enters the school like students, teachers, other employees, security staff, etc. should always be in possession of their unique ID cards during the school hours. This makes recognizing and handling the unidentified person easy. Moreover, the outsiders, other than parents, should have access to a limited area. Follow these steps especially during functions.

 5. Medical Preparedness

Medical emergencies do not come with a warning and they are frequent in schools. Children, mainly the younger ones, are not aware of health hazards in and around the campus and rarely follow the safety instructions. They spend most of their time hanging out with their friends, playing or even singing. This makes them more vulnerable to accidents and then there is the lingering risk of medical emergencies. Schools should be ready for such acute situations with medical facilities like first aid, emergency room, contact with nearby hospitals, etc.

 6. Training

Don’t limit the safety preparedness to just cameras, guards and first aids, provide training to the employees as well as senior students on how to follow safety measures properly, what to do in crisis situations, identifying unsafe activities and performing first aid. Training on fire safety is a must. Practice fire drills on a regular basis. Security personals should be given special training on handling emergency situations of any kind.

 7. Safety Awareness

Besides providing training to employees and senior students, basic safety awareness should be raised in every one belonging to the school, including younger children. They should be made aware of safety rules like not running around on the cemented floor, not touching power points, not using computers or lab items without adult supervision and also of not entering hazardous or unsafe areas in your school if any. Arrange workshops for this purpose on a quarterly or annual basis.

Providing safety to the students is one of the major responsibilities of a school besides imparting education. It should be taken seriously right from the start. If you give priority to safety and security, parents become trustworthy and that is simply priceless. So better be safe than sorry.