4 ways to empower your child to practice school safety at home

Keeping our kids safe is something we all care about, and it’s a team effort that goes beyond the classroom. Schools do a great job teaching kids about tornadoes, fires, and other drills, but it’s just as important for parents to talk about safety and drills at home. By working together, we can make sure our kids are ready for anything, whether they’re at school or at home.  

“Practicing for a fire or other emergency is just as important at home as it is at school,” says Abbey Pettiford, injury prevention outreach supervisor. “Making sure that every member of the family knows the plan in the event of an emergency can save lives!”  

Here are some simple ways to help your kids use their safety smarts from school in their everyday lives. 

1. start the conversation about school safety

One of the first and most important steps parents can take is to start the conversation about the safety drills their children participate in at school. Ask your children to explain what they learned about the procedures for tornado, fire, and other drills. This not only reinforces what they have learned but also helps you see their level of understanding. 

When having a conversation, here are some tips to help: 

• Be attentive and patient: Allow your children to articulate their thoughts and experiences without interruption. 
• Use open-ended questions: Encourage detailed responses by asking questions like, "Can you tell me what you do during a fire drill?" 
• Express interest and encouragement: Show enthusiasm for their knowledge and reassure them that these discussions are important. 

On Our Sleeves, the movement for children’s mental health has even more resources about healthy ways to start the conversation about safety and even have a conversation starters free for you to download! If you want to learn more, click here.  

2. create a home safety plan together

Work with your children and other family members to come up with a home safety plan that mirrors the drills they practice at school. This plan should include specific actions to prepare for tornadoes, fires, and even potential intruder scenarios. 

Here are some elements of a home safety plan for different scenarios:  

Tornado Safety: 

• Learn the warning signs: Explain to kids that if there’s a tornado nearby, there will likely be an alert on phones, TVs, and radios. Some places have outdoor warning sirens that will sound.   
•  Identify the safest area in your home, such as a basement or an interior room without windows. Practice getting to this location quickly and safely. 

Fire Safety

• If you are like most people, you know it’s important to plan how to get out of the house in the event of a fire—but you haven’t practiced it. While we do drills at school and work, most people never run a fire drill in their home.   
• Designate multiple escape routes from each room and establish a family meeting point outside the home.  
• For children under six, assign an adult to help them. 
• You can use Safe Kid’s Worldwide’s fire escape plan template with the whole family.

Intruder or violent emergency

• Just like other drills, it’s important to discuss and practice hiding places in the home. Also share the importance of staying quiet and following instructions in the event of an emergency 
• Talk about preventative measures to protect the house like locking doors. 

3. remain calm

Staying calm in an emergency is key, and teaching your kids how to manage their emotions can make a big difference. Show them simple techniques like deep breathing or counting to ten to help them stay grounded. Let them know that keeping calm can help them think more clearly and act more confidently when it counts. 

Weather events like thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hurricanes can feel overwhelming for kids. Find out how to help them stay relaxed and feel more secure during these times. 

When talking about tough topics like violence, it's important to approach the conversation in a supportive way. Discover strategies for discussing these scenarios to make them feel safer and more understood.  

4. keep open communication with your child's school

Stay informed about the safety protocols and drills conducted at your child's school. Maintain open communication with teachers and administrators to understand their approach and how you can incorporate similar practices at home. 

By taking an active role in reinforcing school safety lessons at home, parents can empower their children to handle emergencies with confidence and composure. Through ongoing dialogue, collaborative planning, and practical exercises, we can ensure that our children are well-prepared for any situation that may arise. Together, we can create a safer environment and peace of mind for both our children and ourselves.