School Emergency Preparedness: Essential Questions Every Parent Should Ask

With the first day of school just around the corner, it's time to make sure our little ones are heading off to safe environments. I have some practical tips to help you ensure your child’s school or daycare is prepared to handle emergencies—like choking, bleeding, or allergic reactions. Let’s focus on school emergency preparedness and the key safety questions you should ask.

Let’s dive into some key safety questions you should ask to keep your peace of mind.

1. Do they have tools on hand if a child goes into cardiac arrest?

First things first, ask if they have an AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Schools in Texas are required to have them and trained staff to use them, but preschools and daycares often don’t. Find out where it’s located and who knows how to use it. Knowing someone is prepared for such an emergency can make all the difference. 

According to the American Heart Association, sudden cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death in the U.S., and effective bystander CPR, provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest, can double or triple a victim’s chance of survival. However, for every minute without CPR and defibrillation, a victim’s chances of survival decrease by 7-10%. Having an AED on-site can significantly improve the odds, as it can restore a regular heart rhythm before emergency medical personnel arrive. In fact, schools equipped with AEDs report survival rates as high as 64-74% for students who suffer sudden cardiac arrest on school grounds.

2. Have their staff been trained in CPR?

Believe it or not, teachers aren’t always required to know CPR. So, it’s up to us to ask. Check if anyone on staff has been trained and how often they refresh their skills. Make sure they know how to give CPR specifically for babies and toddlers. 

In most states, there only needs to be one person in the school who is required to have CPR training and this is usually the nurse, coach, athletic trainer, or PE teacher. Some schools may opt to train CPR train teachers but it is not required. In Texas, preschool/daycare providers are required to take a CPR First Aid class every year.

According to the American Heart Association, immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest. However, less than 50% of people who experience cardiac arrest outside of a hospital receive the help they need before professional help arrives. For children, the need is even more acute—approximately 7,000 children suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrests annually in the U.S.

If your child plays sports, it’s crucial for the coaches to be trained too—1 in 300 student-athletes have undetected heart conditions. Studies show that 89% of student-athletes who suffer sudden cardiac arrest are male, and having trained staff on hand is critical for timely intervention. Regular CPR training and refreshers ensure that staff are prepared to act quickly and effectively, potentially saving lives.

3. How does the school handle food safety to prevent allergic reactions? 

If your child has allergies, make sure the school has an allergy action plan. The Allergy Action plan is a form that the parent provides to the school and is signed by the child's doctor. This form provides specific instructions on what to do in case of an exposure/anaphylactic response. The parent provides the child's EpiPen. Some school clinics carry stock EpiPens but not all so parents cannot rely on the school to provide one.

Clear communication about your child’s allergies can prevent severe reactions and keep them safe. Food allergies affect 1 in 13 children in the United States, which is roughly two in every classroom. According to Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), about 40% of children with food allergies have experienced a severe allergic reaction such as anaphylaxis.

Anaphylaxis can occur within minutes of exposure to an allergen and can be life-threatening. Having an epinephrine auto-injector (epi-pen) on hand is crucial, as it can quickly reverse the symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. Schools need to be well-prepared, with staff trained to recognize the signs of an allergic reaction and administer epinephrine.  

Does your child have asthma? Ensure the school has an asthma action plan for your child and that staff know how to use rescue inhalers and other necessary medications. According to the CDC, quick-relief inhalers should be readily available and used at the first sign of an asthma attack. About 1 in 12 children in the U.S. have asthma, and it is one of the leading causes of missed school days. Without medication, asthma attacks can escalate quickly and become life-threatening.

4. What does their first aid kit include?

A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for handling emergencies effectively. First, ask if the school or daycare has a healthcare professional or nurse on-site. Having a medical professional available can significantly enhance the level of care provided in an emergency. Next, check what’s in their first aid kit. I’ve put together a list of what everyone should have in their first aid kits here. 

Also, ensure the staff is trained to stop life-threatening bleeding. These skills can be lifesaving, especially for severe situations like stopping life-threatening bleeding. Uncontrolled bleeding is a major cause of preventable death in traumatic injuries.  Essential items for bleeding control include:

• Tourniquets

• Hemostatic dressings (specialized gauze treated to speed clotting)

• Compressed gauze

In emergencies, every second counts, and knowing how to effectively use a tourniquet or apply pressure to a wound can mean the difference between life and death. Be sure the staff is trained in basic first aid, CPR, and the use of AEDs. Regular training sessions and refreshers are important so that everyone is prepared to act quickly and confidently in an emergency.

5. For young kids, how safe is the play area? 

On the playground, look for safe surfaces like 12 inches of wood chips, sand, pea gravel, or rubber-like material under the play equipment. These materials help cushion falls and reduce the risk of serious injuries. According to the National Safety Council, falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries for children, making proper surfacing critical.

Here are a few more things to check for on the playground:

• Equipment stability and maintenance: Ensure that play structures are well-maintained, securely anchored, and free from sharp edges, rust, or other hazards. Look for signs of wear and tear and ask about the maintenance schedule.

• Age-appropriate equipment: Make sure the playground equipment is suitable for the age group using it. Equipment designed for older children may pose risks for younger kids.

• Guardrails and barriers: Check that elevated surfaces have guardrails or barriers to prevent falls.

• Spacing: Ensure there is adequate space between pieces of equipment to prevent overcrowding and collisions.

• Supervision: Confirm that there is adequate adult supervision during playtime to promptly address any issues that arise.

Inside the facility, pay attention to the window coverings. Check for loops, cords, or chains that could pose strangulation risks. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reports that window cords are one of the top five hidden hazards in homes and childcare settings. Ensure that any cords are secured out of reach or replaced with cordless alternatives.

For daycares, make sure there are no pillows, blankets, or soft bedding in the cribs to reduce suffocation risks. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants sleep on a firm, flat surface free of soft bedding to prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Here are additional daycare safety checks:

• Crib safety: Verify that cribs meet current safety standards, with properly spaced slats and no drop-side rails.

• Sleep practices: Confirm that the daycare follows safe sleep practices, placing infants on their backs to sleep and avoiding soft toys or bedding in the crib.

• Furniture and fixtures: Ensure that heavy furniture, like bookshelves and dressers, are anchored to the wall to prevent tipping.

• Toys and materials: Check that toys are age-appropriate, non-toxic, and free from small parts that could pose choking hazards. Regularly inspected toys reduce the risk of injury.

• Cleaning protocols: Ask about their cleaning protocols to ensure toys and play areas are sanitized regularly, reducing the spread of germs and illnesses.

By asking these questions, you can make sure your child’s school or daycare is ready to handle emergencies so they can explore and play without unnecessary risks. It’s all about being proactive and ensuring the safety measures in place give you peace of mind.