We all want our kids to be safe while they are at school. All schools have strict safety measures and monitoring in place but what extra steps can they take in ensuring kids’ safety? Here are a few basic things to look for/consider.
Physical Safety
Most school floors are hard surfaces, add rainwater to that and an increased risk of slips and falls is created. An easy way to reduce this risk and create a cleaner environment for children is to put mats at entrances and where appropriate around the building.
There are many mats that will fit this purpose. There are two main things to look for, however. Does the mat have a good grip? Can it withstand heavy footfall? Suitable materials include microfibre, rubber and coir, which are all durable and great at catching dirt and debris from shoes. Using the right mats in the right places reduces the risk of trips and falls and improves cleanliness and hygiene.
- Cafeteria/ Kitchen Mats
All schools adhere to a health and safety code but a particular attention needs to be paid to cafeterias and kitchens where students will sit to eat or where their meals will be prepared. There are different types of kitchen mats on the market but the main properties to look out for are: slip-resistance, antimicrobial properties and perforations to drain water and other liquids away from the surface.
Gymnasium Sticky Mats
Gym floors see a lot of heavy use; if we add dirt and debris to that, the risk of wear and tear to the floor increases. Sticky mats are a great way to prevent dirt, debris and other contaminants from entering the premises.
- Swimming Pool Mats
If your school has a swimming pool, you should consider putting mats around it to prevent slips and falls. Mats for swimming pools provide a non-slip environment and prevent mould and bacteria from spreading.
Emergency Safety
From marking all the exits to educating children on fire safety and creating a safe environment for them to reside in, here are a few safety tips.
- Signs – posting signs around the school about fire safety and fire drills is an easy way to ensure awareness of these measures.
- Fire Safety Equipment – fire extinguishers and fire blankets should be positioned around the school, and there should be fire alarms readily available. Make sure everything is labelled correctly and checked regularly for damage and continuing functionality. This way all equipment will be ready in case of an emergency.
- Education
- Educate staff and children about fire safety measures.
- Make sure everyone knows where the fire exits are and the safe walkways that lead to them.
- Educate staff on how to use fire extinguishers and fire blankets.
- Have maps around the school showing the nearest two exits to the location of the map.
- Have a safe assembly point and a student register ready to make sure everyone is out.
- Conduct regular, unannounced fire drills so everyone knows what to do in case of a fire.
- Conduct regular checks on equipment and fire alarms.