In 5-10 minutes most school staffs can do a walk-thru and confirm the locations of key safety and security equipment, sheltering locations and rally points. When something bad happens it might just be the best 5-10 minutes your staff spent in getting ready for the new school year.
Remember what they say about assuming... it makes a THREE LETTER WORD out of you and me. All too often when it comes to safety equipment such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, AED's, Go Bags, Administrative evacuation kits, shelter in place locations or rally points we forget where the nearest one is at. We just assume from last year that everyone will remember where this equipment is located. Well guess what? For most of staff members they didn't have to go for any of that equipment all last year. Then we factor in the new hires, temporary employees and that a few of these items got moved from last year's location and now we find that not everybody does know where all the equipment is.
And there we go... that old saying about assuming once again is proven correct.
So building principles or head masters take a few minutes to get your folks up and moving. Go for a quick walk of your campus and rediscover these items together. that way you will never have to assume that everyone knows where this life saving equipment is located. Pick a time when everyone is starting to fall asleep after lunch and the sun is shining in the room. How can it hurt?
This is John Baker for safetysolutions4schools.com. Until next time.