Can we ensure children's safety after Mumbai terror attack? Read on to know what can be done to ensure your child's safety in school.
Mumbai terror attack on November 26, 2008, frightened parents. Diya shares her anxieties with other fellow parents. Diya and some other parents in her daughter's school have decided to write a letter to the school authority to improve the safety measures in school. Parents are worried about children's safety after Mumbai terror attack. Schools and even colleges will need to deal with sensitive topic, terrorism and safety of children. Here are a few points that parents could suggest to school authority to ensure their children's safety.
Terrorism and school safety
Parents should take initiative and suggest a school authority to conduct parent-teacher meeting. In this meeting, parents should discuss about improvement of safety in school in case of terror attack. To ensure child's safety during terror attack, parents and teachers should commence child safety programs in schools. Parents and school authority together can brainstorm on new ways to confirm the safety and security of their children.
Fire safety
Fire safety in school is of utmost importance. Schools should install fire extinguishers and smoke alarms wherever possible. Students should be given demonstrations of how to use fire extinguisher in case of emergency. Parents should give their children, basic child safety tips and make sure that children are following precautionary measures.
First aid kits
Schools should have first aid kits. A first aid box should contain medicines and necessary health care materials including bandages, cotton balls, scissors, and antibacterial solution. Teachers and students should know how to use them. Schools should provide basic first aid training to students as well as to teachers. Schools should have every child's medical history and details such as blood group, allergies, health problems, etc. in their records.
Be ready in case of terror attack
Schools should prepare safety plans before hand in case of a sudden terror attack. Each school should develop a plan ahead of a time. This plan should be developed after studying the structure of a school building. During emergency every child should know the escape route and hiding places. A school should have one room spare, especially for hiding. This room should have a telephone connection, a first aid box, and a source of drinking water.
Parents should be informed
School's management should work promptly and should act as quick as a flash in time of crisis. It should have emergency numbers like numbers of police stations, fire service stations, medical centers, chemist shops, ambulance services, blood banks, and hospitals. Management should also have handy database of student's addresses and contact numbers of parents. If there is a news of terror attack, management should make calls and inform parents about the well being of their children.
Schools should develop a programs that will answer a crucial question, how to be safe during terror attack. Parents and teachers should learn the tact of talking to children about terrorism. Schools should arrange workshops and seminars to help children cope with a terror attack. Understand the importance of safety precautions during terror attack. Let us stand against terrorism.
What can be done to improve safety of children in school? Do schools in India lack in providing safety to children? What do you feel about Mumbai terror attack and safety of children? To share your views and experiences, click here.
