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Back-to-school time is also National Preparedness Month
Posted: Friday, Aug 31, 2007 - 03:15:37 pm EDT
September is National Preparedness Month and it is also when children get into the back-to-school routine.
In a statement today, the Wabash County Health Department and the Wabash Medical Reserve Corps reminded that pencils, markers, backpacks, and rulers are not the only tools students need when going back to school.
“They should also prepare for any emergency or disaster that might occur while at school,” the health department news release explains.
“There is a lot that school officials have done to plan for disasters, limit risk to staff and students, promote safety and ensure that their schools can recover quickly.”
All schools have an emergency response plan, which identifies hazards and the steps to reduce the risk; evacuation plans and routes; needs of students and staff with disabilities; onsite sheltering plans; emergency supplies and equipment; plans for releasing students and school personnel and emergency communications.
“Parents should know the policies and procedures concerning disasters or emergencies at their children’s school,” a health department spokesperson urged. “They should make sure the school has their updated emergency contact information and keep their children’s school emergency release cards current.”
It is also important for parents to discuss with their children what might occur when an emergency happens at their school.
If parents work out of town and there may be a delay in their picking up their children during an emergency or disaster, parents should have an alternate plan (consider naming a trusted friend or family member as an alternate emergency contact).
Tornadoes and severe storms are a common occurrence in southern Illinois so parents should spend time with their children to explain why storms occur, and involve them in developing the family’s disaster plan, preparing “go-bags” (72-hour emergency survival kits), and practicing emergency procedures for surviving tornadoes or other disasters.
Parents should consider taking training courses in first aid, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and emergency preparedness.
For more information, or to schedule training for your church, business, school or civic organization, please call the Wabash County Health Department at (618) 263-3873.
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