10 Safety Rules For Children To Follow At School: Must-Know Guidelines For Parents

One of the most difficult truths about being a parent is that you can't always be around your child to protect and take care of them. So, when you drop your child off at school, you entrust their safety and care to the hands of teachers and the school staff.

While the onus is on schools to prevent unfortunate incidents from happening and provide a secure and nurturing ambiance, parents also need to teach their children to protect themselves as best as they can. They have to make sure that the children are aware of the possible dangers they may face at school without scaring them unduly.

Here are 10 safety rules at school that would keep the students from harm's way, from playground to classrooms and even the school bus.

Safety rules to be followed in schools

Before you educate your child about the safety rules at school your child should follow, you must ensure that their school has adequate safety measures in place. Some of the safety rules that every school should implement include CCTV cameras on the campus, safe bus transport, proper medical facilities, proper monitoring of vulnerable areas like washrooms, efficient visitor management systems, and background verification of teachers and staff hired by the school. In fact, one of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) guidelines for schools is that non-teaching staff such as bus drivers, conductors, peons, cleaning, and other support staff be employed only by authorized agencies.

Parents must also find out whether the structure of the school building is safe and has proper provisions for fire safety. In addition, they should check if the school adheres to an anti-bullying policy and adopts measures to protect children from all forms of abuse. The school staff should be made aware of any health concerns the child may have, including allergies and emotional issues.

What parents should teach children about safety in school

Following are some safety rules you must teach your child to follow at school:

1.  Memorize contact details: Ensure your child remembers their full name and address, parent's name, and the emergency phone numbers to reach out to, should the need arise. Also, make them memorize a backup phone number to call, like that of a grandparent, uncle, or aunt, who could help if the primary numbers aren't responding. Caution your child against sharing their contact details with anyone and information such as the school they attend, where they live, and their age.
2.  Never wander outside school premises: Tell your child firmly that they should never leave the school premises unattended. For instance, children may get engrossed in play and wander outside the school compound to fetch a ball if the security at the gate is not alert. Make sure you tell them to ask a teacher or a staff for help if they need something from outside.
3.  Be wary of strangers: Your child should know who they can leave the school with. There have been cases where children were approached by strangers claiming that something had happened to their mother or father. Tell your child that if this happens, they should alert a teacher immediately instead of leaving the school with the stranger. Also, tell your child to never accept food from a stranger or anyone else.
4.  Know the school's emergency response protocols: Train your child on how to respond to an emergency. Most schools have fire and earthquake drills and emergency evacuation plans. Your child must know the plan thoroughly to avoid confusion and resultant panic.
5.  Never do anything they are uncomfortable with: Your child may be given a dare by friends to do something dangerous in school. Explain to them that they should never do something that makes them feel uncomfortable or causes physical, mental, or emotional harm. Teach them how to resist peer pressure.
6.  Don't let anyone touch them without their consent: Teach your child the difference between safe and unsafe touch as soon as they can understand the concept. Explain to them that should anyone, other than their parents, touch them without their consent, they should report it immediately to a teacher or you. In case they are hurt and need to go to the school doctor, they should never go unattended. Also, ask them to refuse to follow anyone, be it a teacher, staff member, or fellow student, to secluded areas in school like washrooms, deserted parts of the schoolyard, or an empty corridor/classroom. Instruct them to always stay in a group.
7.  Don't tolerate bullying: Teach your child to stand up for themselves and not succumb to bullying. If they can't deal with the bully on their own, they should approach a person of authority. Also, teach them to respect their peers despite their differences, so they never become a bully themselves.
8.  Follow basic rules of safety: Teach your child basic rules like never playing or experimenting with fire or sharp objects without adult supervision. Also, ask them to be careful around loose electrical wires and never go to the swimming pool unattended. Educate them on basic road safety rules in case they have to walk home from the bus stop alone.
9.  Seek medical help if required: Your child should report to the medical room if they are not feeling well. Ask them to never ignore any signs of discomfort they might be feeling.
10.  Never keep any secrets from parents: Encourage your child to talk to you about anything that is upsetting or making them feel uncomfortable. Tell them that no topic is off-limits and talking about issues helps in getting them resolved faster. Explain to them that they shouldn't keep secrets that disturb their mental peace or affect them emotionally or physically. However, if your child seems withdrawn or is not sleeping or eating properly, it might be a sign of distress. Talk to the school or seek expert help, if necessary.

Playground safety rules

Most injuries in school happen on the playground. This is a result of children either not following the school safety rules and engaging in unsafe behavior such as running on uneven surfaces, or due to faulty equipment. While it is the duty of the school to ensure playground safety for kids, the parents can also teach their children to be safe and responsible while playing.

Safety rules on the bus

School bus safety is something that is taken very seriously by the authorities. However, you can ensure whether the bus in which your child goes to school is adhering to proper safety guidelines.

You can also teach your child about the safety rules to follow while waiting for the bus or traveling in it. Here is more information for parents about ensuring school bus safety for their children.

While parents can't be there in person to make sure their children are safe and well-cared for in a school, they can empower their children to be conscious of their safety and express themselves in a way so that they do not become victims.