11 Classroom Safety Rules: Everyone Should Follow
To keep your students safe at school, they must abide by the eleven safety rules listed below.
Making rules for your classroom will depend on your own expectations and style of teaching. Safety is an area that needs teacher control, even though many teachers opt to work with their students to create a list of class rules. We have shared classroom rules for high school, kindergarten, elementary, the first grade, and preschool.
Look around your classroom and think of any potential hazards that need to be addressed before deciding which rules to utilize. These eleven school safety regulations will keep the pupils safe on the playground, in the classrooms, and even on the school bus.
Know Emergency Procedures
Even though teachers must be in charge of getting their classes out of the building in an emergency, you can teach your students to be accountable by teaching them what to do in case of an emergency or a natural disaster.
Place a map of the room’s fire escape route there and go over it with your students frequently.
Tell An Adult If You Feel Unsafe
Many students do not understand the distinction between tattletale behavior and alerting an adult to their concerns about safety.
A student should tell an adult if they ever feel unsafe or afraid at school so that the adult can help them with the problem. Explain that teachers do not like it when people tattle because sometimes students do not take responsibility for small problems that they should know how to handle themselves.
Keep Floors and Walkways Clear
As previously stated, falls are a significant source of injuries among students. And while many falls happen on the playground, classrooms present their own challenges. Computer labs are one type of classroom that many schools have today, and cables can be a problem there.
In addition to creating tripping hazards, classrooms frequently use floor cushions or scraps of fabric. Take the following precautions to avoid this common classroom danger:
- Verify that floor cables are firmly taped in place.
- Use sleeves and cases to safeguard delicate tablets and laptops.
- Children should be taught to avoid tumbling or fighting near computers.
- Make sure that area of the classroom with unavoidable tripping hazards (such as reading corners with floor cushions) are designated “no-running” zones.
Encourage Proper Hygiene
Throughout the day, remind kids to wash their hands frequently, especially after using the restroom and just before eating. The Mayo Clinic offers great information on how to wash hands effectively:
- Utilize a lot of soap and water.
- At least 20 seconds to wash.
- Use a clean, dry towel afterward.
Hand sanitizer is another item you might want to consider having on hand in the classroom. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention state that hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol are effective at killing many germs, but they are not a replacement for traditional soap and water. Pesticides and heavy metals from the skin may not be removed by hand sanitizers.
Never Wander Outside School Premises
Make it clear to your child that she should never wander off the grounds of the school by herself. For instance, if the security at the gate is not attentive, children may become engrossed in play and wander outside the school grounds to fetch a ball.
Make sure you tell her to ask a teacher or a staff for help if she needs something from outside.
Be Wary of Strangers
Your child needs to be aware of whom he can trust when leaving school. There have been instances where strangers approached kids and told them that something had happened to their mother or father.
Instruct your child to notify a teacher right away if this occurs rather than walking out of the school with the stranger. Additionally, caution your child against accepting food from anyone, including strangers.
Don’t Let Anyone Touch Her Without Her Consent
Teach your child the difference between safe and unsafe touch as soon as she can understand the concept. Tell her to notify a teacher or you right away if anyone touches her inappropriately (other than her parents). She should never be left alone in case she gets hurt and needs to visit the school doctor.
Additionally, instruct her to refrain from going with anyone—a teacher, staff member, or other students—to secluded areas of the school, such as the restrooms, a deserted area of the schoolyard, or a vacant hallway or classroom. Tell her to always remain with a group.
Follow Basic Rules of Safety
Teach your child fundamental rules, such as not to play with or experiment with fire or sharp objects unless an adult is present. Additionally, advise her not to swim alone and to be cautious around exposed electrical wires. In case she has to walk home alone from the bus stop, teach her the fundamentals of road safety.
Seek Medical Help If Required
In the event that your child feels unwell, he should go to the medical room. It is important to remember that you are not alone.
Don’t Tolerate Bullying
Encourage your child to defend himself and resist bullying by teaching them to do so. He should speak to someone in authority if he is unable to handle the bully on his own. Teach him to respect his peers despite their differences as well, to prevent him from ever turning into a bully.
Never Keep Any Secrets from Parents
Encourage your kid to come to you with any concerns or uncomfortable feelings they may be experiencing. Inform her that there are no taboo subjects and that discussing problems facilitates a quicker resolution.
Tell her that she shouldn’t keep secrets that interfere with her mental health or have a negative impact on her emotional or physical well-being. However, it could be a sign of distress if your child is acting withdrawn or isn’t getting enough rest or food. If necessary, talk to the school or get professional assistance.
Conclusion: Classroom Safety Rules
Regardless of grade level, teachers and students should be aware of how to create a safe environment for them. Students should also know what to do in an emergency.
Teaching your child the appropriate classroom manners will help to ensure both his safety and the safety of other students. These include following the safety regulations for the classroom, using good manners, and taking care of the furniture and equipment in the space.