Disasters can happen at any time, even during the school day. Are you familiar with the emergency plan at your child’s school or child care program? Make sure that emergency planning is on your checklist for back-to-school.
Child Care Aware of America suggests these critical questions to ask:
- What plan is in place to safely evacuate children, especially if the school is no longer a safe place to be?
- Where can I typically expect to find my child in the event of an emergency (predetermined site nearby and alternate back-up site)?
- How will I be notified that an evacuation has taken place, and how will I learn about next steps for picking up my child from the school or the evacuation site?
Follow these three easy steps from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to protect your child during emergencies at school or child care.
Additional resources from the American Academy of Pediatrics include School Safety During Emergencies: What Parents Need to Know, and Are You Prepared for Disasters Family Readiness Kit.