How to help prepare your child for a school emergency

For most of us, our schooling years are some of the happiest in our lives. We make friends, learn new things and gain confidence by testing our boundaries on a daily basis. In many ways, it’s a carefree time that we look back on fondly when we become adults. But unfortunately, this period also comes with its fair share of risks. 

School shootings have made headlines in recent years and are more common than you might think. Schools are one of the most common places for an emergency to occur. In fact, there were 95 reports of gunfire in the first half of 2022 alone.

Fortunately, as parents, we can do everything within our power to ensure that our children remain safe. Here are some easy tips on how to prepare your child for school emergencies.

Communicate with your child about emergencies

Before your child heads off to school each day, have a conversation about what to do in the event of an emergency. Knowing what to do in an emergency can make all the difference, and could even save a life. If your child is old enough to understand, you should let them know that in the event of an emergency, they need to follow the instructions of the teacher. 

There are many ways in which a child could be endangered at school. School shootings are a real threat that all parents need to be aware of. If you’re concerned that your child could become a victim of a shooting, make sure they know what to do. 

If they hear gunshots, they need to drop to the ground, get underneath their desk and stay there until the danger has passed. Your child should also know to stay away from windows and doors, as these are often areas where the shooter is likely to look.

Help your child feel confident

School can be a stressful time for many children. You can make sure that your child feels confident enough to deal with any potential issues by teaching them some coping mechanisms. For example, many children find that journaling is a great way to relieve anxiety. You can also encourage your child to speak to a trusted adult if they are feeling overwhelmed. 

As your child progresses through their schooling years, it’s important to talk to them about dealing with bullies and other people who make them feel uncomfortable. Let them know that it’s okay to tell someone if they feel unsafe and that there are ways to deal with difficult people. 

Schoolwork can also become a source of stress for many children, particularly those who are homeschooled. If your child is struggling, you don’t want them to feel too worried about it. Let them know that it’s okay to take breaks if they need to and that you’re always there to help.

Establish a safe pathway out

If your child is old enough to drive, you should make sure that they know the safest way out of the school in an emergency. If you have a child who walks to school, you should also make sure that they have an escape route. Your child should know that, in an emergency, they need to get away from the site of the danger as quickly as possible.

When you’re at the school, walk around the grounds with your child to make sure they know where they need to go in the event of an emergency. If you have children of different ages, you should make sure that they are all aware of where they need to go in the event of an emergency. You don’t want a younger child putting themselves in danger by trying to go to their older sibling.

Prepare an emergency backpack.

Along with installing good morning and goodnight routines, you should also make sure that your child has an emergency backpack. This is filled with everything your child needs in case of an emergency, such as water, medication, and an extra set of clothes. Having a backpack ready to go can make a huge difference in an emergency situation. 

You should also make sure that your child knows how to use the contents of the backpack if they need to. For example, if your child has diabetes, they should know how to administer their insulin in an emergency situation. You should also keep a list of your child’s medications and the dosages that they need.

Use panic alarms & apps that can help you find your child quickly

Apps like Find My Kids can help you find your child quickly in an emergency. You can load your child’s location into the app, so you always have access to their whereabouts. 

You might also want to consider purchasing a wearable device, such as a smartwatch or fitness band. You can program these devices to send you alerts when your child leaves or enters a certain area.

If your child has special needs, you should make sure that they have a panic alarm on them at all times. Panic alarms are a great way to alert first responders to your child’s needs, even if they are unable to communicate them to you

Meet with your child’s school.

You should meet with your child’s school to discuss how they are prepared for an emergency. You can ask about the plans they have in place to keep everyone safe and any additional security features they have implemented, such as door locks for classrooms and schools.

You can also talk to teachers and administrators about your child and their special needs. This way, you can make sure that your child is adequately prepared for any emergency, and that their needs are met.

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Conclusion

School should be a safe haven for our children, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. Unfortunately, emergencies such as school shootings are a very real threat, and parents need to make sure that their children are prepared for this. To make sure your child is prepared for any emergency, follow these tips. They’ll help your child feel confident, stay on track and know what to do in an emergency.  

Emila Smith is a freelance blogger. She loves writing about parenting, gardening includes houseplants and this is the place where her creativity sparks.