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Instruct Kids on Emergency Response

Once your classroom has a first-aid kit, the next sensible course of action is to teach kids how to use it—and teach them what to do should an injury occur inside the classroom. Points to cover could include:

• Stay calm: kids naturally want to help, so let them know that the best thing they can do is be thoughtful and ready to take direction.
• Stay back unless you’re helping the victim: sometimes, though, kids want to be too helpful. Explain to them the importance of staying in their seats or giving someone who’s injured enough room to arrive.
• Go for help: let kids know it’s okay to leave someone alone if need be, if that means getting help there as soon as possible.
• Basic first aid instruction: talk to kids about blood-borne pathogens and why gloves are important. Show them how to stop bleeding, how to help someone who’s choking, and what not to do with someone who is seriously injured.

KidsHealth offers an entire library of first-aid guides for kids, covering everything from allergic reactions to seizures. They’re completely free and ready to print.

Encourage Proper Hygiene

Instruct kids to wash their hands frequently throughout the day, especially after using the bathroom and before eating. We will offers great information on how to wash hands effectively:

• Use plenty of soap and water.
• Wash for at least 20 seconds.
• Use a clean, dry towel are afterward.Hand sanitizer is another item you might want to consider having on-hand in the classroom. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hand sanitizers that are at least 60% alcohol are effective at removing many germs, though they’re no substitute for good, old-fashioned soap and water. Hand sanitizers may fail at removing pesticides and heavy metals from skin, as well.

Have an Emergency Plan

Information for kids on how to react in emergency situations, such as:

• Listen closely to the teacher.
• Listen for announcements.
• Help the teacher barricade the door.
• Go to a rally point, with the teacher, or without.

Fire :

• Get low to the floor and head for the exit.
• Go immediately. Don’t wait for a second bell to ring.
• Feel the door first. If it’s hot, don’t open it. Use a second escape route instead.
• Stop, drop and roll if your clothes or hair catch fire.
• Meet at the assigned rendezvous point.

Storms and Natural Disasters

• Stay away from windows and doors.
• Put as many walls between yourself and the outside as possible. Use a basement or interior corridor as a gathering place.
• If possible, get beneath a desk or table.

Regardless of grade level, students should know what to do in an emergency, and educators should know how to provide them with the safest environment possible.