Three things to teach your child about school fire drills
In the coming weeks, students and staff of Island schools will hear the peal of the alarm bell and take part in school-wide fire drills. It’s a familiar routine most will remember from bygone school days, but for some younger students it may be a new experience. The drills are just as important for seasoned students and teachers too.
Why?
“Everyone in the school needs to know how to get outside quickly and quietly, and the best way to learn is to practice,” says Provincial Fire Marshal Dave Rossiter. “The lives of students and staff may someday depend on everyone knowing these procedures.”
Parents – here are three things to discuss with your children, so that everyone will know what to do when a fire alarm sounds at school:
- Stop everything. Listen for instructions from your teacher.
- Do not panic, but go quickly and quietly out of your classroom. Walk in an orderly fashion. Do not push or shove. Everyone needs to get out safely, and that includes your child and his classmates.
- Go to the meeting place outside the school and wait there. Your child’s teacher will take roll call to make sure all students are safe. Students are asked to remember - once outside, stay outside. A student should never go back in until a teacher or another responsible adult says it is okay.
Like at school, it is important to practice fire drills at home too.
“Knowing what to do is the key to surviving a fire emergency,” says Fire Marshal Rossiter. “Fire drills help children and adults feel more comfortable with the noise, the activity and the process so that if a real fire occurs, everyone will be able to respond in a calm, organized manner.”
Officials from the Fire Marshal’s Office will be conducting fire drill assessments at Island schools beginning mid-September. Learn more about fire safety for everyone.