Three Essential Safety Checks for Schools Before the First Bell

The first priority involves a rigorous inspection of campus grounds, specifically playgrounds. Even if summer maintenance projects have concluded, administrators must hunt for damaged equipment, exposed hardware, or tripping hazards. Sharon Orr, Director of Risk Control at Church Mutual, suggests that any equipment showing signs of wear should be decommissioned immediately. For deeper assurance, schools may consider bringing in a Certified Playground Safety Inspector to confirm that play areas meet current standards for spacing and surfacing.

Beyond the physical plant, security and administrative protocols require a sharp update. Emergency action plans often become obsolete due to personnel turnover or facility modifications; these must be refreshed to ensure contact lists and staff responsibilities are accurate. Simultaneously, administrators should audit their screening logs. Ensuring that every employee, coach, and volunteer has undergone mandatory background and motor vehicle record checks is a critical, documented safeguard against potential liability.

Finally, the clarity of institutional policy remains the bedrock of a calm school year. Administrators should pressure-test student and employee handbooks to ensure rules regarding conduct, visitor management, and technology use are not only current but consistently enforceable. Orr emphasizes that a successful preseason review does not require an exhaustive overhaul of every system. Instead, the focus should be on identifying specific vulnerabilities and ensuring that safety responsibilities are clearly assigned and understood before the first student walks through the door.