In the light of the Sandy Hook tragedy and a smattering of school shootings over the course of 2012, many parents are beginning to wonder in earnest if their children are actually safe in their schools. Fears of violent attacks aside, you may also be wondering if your little ones would be adequately protected and looked after in the event of a natural disaster or catastrophic weather conditions. While there is no surefire way to predict the future, there are steps you can take as a parent to ensure that the children in your child’s school are being protected and kept safe to the best of the administrators’ abilities.
Tag Archives: school safety
KEEPING OUR MOST IMPORTANT ASSETS SAFE – OUR CHILDREN!
November marks National Child Safety and Protection Month – a time that reminds us of something that we should bear in mind every day – how to protect our children. From the time of their birth, we are vigilant about their safety. We have months to prepare for their arrival. Picking out the perfect baby carriers, beds, clothing, safest bottles, formula, baby monitors, are only the tip of the iceberg. Thankfully, hospitals are extremely careful in protecting newborns, as in the past, some persons have tried to slip in and take them. When we first take a newborn out in the public, our eyes are constantly focused on that baby.
That vigilance should carry over through their toddler years, ‘tweens, and teens. Somewhere along the way, though, we get so very busy that safety may get pushed into the back of our minds. We hear of parents and caregivers that forget and leave their little ones in the car. We hear of the nightmare of missing children, and the agony that friends and family experience.
Parents have the greatest influence on their children, so it starts from the very beginning of their lives. They should be taught healthy routines and healthy habits. The National Crime Prevention Council reminds us that we must talk to our kids and be involved with them. Parents are responsible for furnishing safe toys. They must install devices in their homes to protect toddlers from the hazards of electrical outlets, medicines, stairs, and many other ways their children can be injured.
In many families, both parents work, or there may be a one-parent home. When child care is required, the parents should do a thorough investigation of the applicant to be in charge of their little one every day. You are leaving your child in their care and you want to be sure this person will be responsible. It’s a smart idea to install “nanny cameras,” for your peace of mind. If you opt to leave your child in a day-care facility, be sure it is licensed, and ask parents you know that leave their children there about their experiences. Day care centers are an excellent source of teaching children how to get along with each other.
Parents need to monitor their children’s school activities, and be familiar with the school’s emergency plans, what kinds of foods are offered, and the safety of playground equipment. They need to also plan their rides to and from school: either by carpooling with persons they know well, riding the bus, or bicycles, and be sure they stay on safe routes if they walk or ride a bike to school. As they grow older, kids need to be involved in extracurricular activities, such as sports, hobbies, organizations, and/or Boy or Girl Scouts. There are neighborhoods with gang activities, and keeping kids busy with other fun things will divert any interest in gangs.
Every day, there is news somewhere of a missing child. We hear every detail, when a little body is found. That little person was someone’s angel, and we need to think about what went wrong and how our system can be fixed to better prevent persons from abusing children. People that hurt children, the elderly, or animals are cruel and should be put away so they can never hurt anyone again. Every child deserves to be safe. Do your part – if you suspect a child is being abused, report the people that are doing it. (Sometimes it does take a village!)
Being a parent, step-parent, or foster parent is a huge responsibility. When your kids are grown and have kids of their own, you will reflect on what you could have done better to protect them as they grew up. When you are a grandparent, you think of how you can keep them safe when they are in your care. There’s a big checklist of things to do to protect our children. We may not get every check marked off, but in the big picture, if we have raised them to be responsible adults, we will have done an excellent job.
Be on the same frequency as your children. Stay engaged with your kids; you can be their friend as well as their parent. Long after they are grown, they will realize that their parents will always be their best friends. If we do our job in loving and protecting our children, they, in turn, will do the same for theirs.
CRIME ON CAMPUS
After hearing the recent news of the arrest of an animal service technician who worked in a laboratory at Yale University for the asphyxiation death of a young woman who was part of the University medical research team, we all wonder if anything could have been done to prevent this horrible crime?
New Haven Police Chief James Lewis classified this crime as workplace violence: not urban, university, or domestic crime, but workplace violence. According to ABC News, Yale University President, Richard Leven said the accused has worked there since 2004, and his work history did not indicate that his involvement in a crime might be possible. President Levin went on to say that this is more about the “dark side of the human soul than the extent of security measures”.
Upon reading the statement Chief Lewis made, I reviewed our article, “Violence in the Workplace”, which talks about many of the causes and solutions that could possibly reduce situations that arise in our places of work. Security cameras play an important part in It seems that we have come to the place where security cameras should be placed in every work area, especially those that may be secluded, and where persons work alone at times.
Here are five key components recommended by OSHA that can benefit employers and employees alike:
- Administrative commitment and employee (student) involvement
- Worksite analysis
- Hazard prevention and control
- Safety and health training
- Evaluation
No single strategy solution that will work for all types of businesses and places of education, but potential risks of workplace violence should be identified and corrective measures implemented. Colleges and universities should investigate threatening situations reported by students, regardless of how trivial they may seem. Students should be encouraged to be observant and cautious as they go about their everyday activities.
Sources:
AP
ABC News
OSHA
SCHOOL DAYS ARE BACK DRIVE SAFELY!
School bells are ringing again, and a whole new set of parents and students will be on the roads, rushing to get their little scholars to school on time! Experienced parents and students will also be hitting the streets again. We ask you to make this promise: “I will take no risks to endanger the safety of my child or other children. I will drive safely this entire year, even if I am late to work or my child is tardy.” (The consequences of being delayed outweigh the emotional and physical costs of an accident.)
Safety tips to keep in mind when taking/picking up your child:
- Plan ahead, and allow extra time to deliver your child to school on time.
- Young children may dart into path of cars, so watch, watch, watch!
- Don’t assume that your child is safe in a crosswalk; tell them to stop and look both ways, if not accompanied by a crosswalk guard.
- Be familiar with school zones and speed limits at your child’s school.
- Do not let your cell phone, palm, or other wonders of technology distract you from the primary goal: the ultimate safety of your child and other children.
- Motorists need to obey all traffic laws and speed limits.
- Be sure to stop for school buses that have stopped to load or unload passengers.
- When you are backing out of your driveway, be sure to watch for kids hurrying to school, either walking or on their bikes.
- Cell phone conversations should be postponed until you have left the school area. (Many states outlaw the use of cell phones in school zones.)
Teenagers: this applies to you, as well. We take many things for granted in our daily routines: our jobs, schedules, families, and health. A blunder caused by hurried, careless driving could alter many lives, so slow down, and drive safely!
TAKING THAT BIG STEP – COLLEGE!
Thousands of students will soon start moving to the college of their choice, and there will be many things on their minds. We have a few tips that will help make the move into that apartment or dorm room a little easier and safer:
- Plan ahead. Organize your move and take only the things you really need.
- Get help: most parents and friends will be happy to help you with your move, and any extra hands will get you settled in sooner.
- Know how to lift properly, and don’t pack boxes too heavy. Avoid back injuries. No one wants to start new classes with a bad back, let alone miss all the campus activities!
- Wear comfortable shoes. It may sound funny, but when you get older, you will understand!
- Don’t forget to take important records. Having your medical information is important.
- Take old phone numbers so you can still get in touch with folks back home.
- If you are on medication, ask your physician to transfer your prescriptions to the pharmacy of your choice.
- Visit the city of your school early if possible, in order to familiarize yourself to new surroundings.
- Be sure to pack a Survival Kit! Non-perishable food, paper plates, bottled water, a few towels, linens, and pen and paper to list things you forgot, will come in handy until you have time to purchase groceries, and other items you need.
- Remember to take a tool kit with the basics: hammer, nails, screwdriver, etc. Pack flashlights, one for your room and one for your car.
One last thing, be sure to use the “Buddy System” when walking on campus at night. Stay safe, and have a wonderful school year!
SCHOOL DAYS ARE BACK. DRIVE SAFELY!
School bells are ringing again, and a whole new set of parents and students will be on the roads, rushing to get their little ones to school on time! Experienced parents and students will also be hitting the streets again.
We ask you to make this “New School Year’s Resolution”:
“I will take no risks to endanger the safety of my child or other children. I will drive safely this entire year, even if I am late to work or my child is tardy.”
The consequences of an accident far outweigh the consequences of being delayed.
Safety tips to keep in mind when taking/picking up your child:
- Plan ahead, and allow extra time to deliver your child to school on time.
- Young children may dart into path of cars, so watch, watch, watch!
- Don’t assume that your child is safe in a crosswalk; tell them to stop and look both ways, if not accompanied by a crosswalk guard.
- Be familiar with school zones and speed limits at your child’s school.
- Do not let your cell phone, palm, or other wonders of technology distract you from the primary goal: the ultimate safety of your child and other children.
- Motorists need to obey all traffic laws and speed limits.
- Be sure to stop for school buses that have stopped to load or unload passengers.
- When you are backing out of your driveway, be sure to watch for kids hurrying to school, either walking or on their bikes.
We take many things for granted in our daily routines: our jobs, families, and health. A blunder caused by rushed, careless driving could alter many lives, so slow down, and drive carefully!