School Safety

Fire Safety

Apart from arson, major causes of school fires include improper handling and storage of flammable liquids, overloaded electrical outlets and excessive accumulation of rubbish. As well, many fires are a result of changing original designs, where classrooms are turned into motor repair shops, spray painting rooms, or other industrial arts instruction areas.

Wiring, ventilation and construction are often unsuitable for a new use, having not been considered during the original design and construction of the school. Young children must rely on school personnel to handle any school fire emergency, and school employees are responsible for establishing an environment that can reduce, control and eliminate conditions that may contribute to fire.

Specific information from Chapter 5 that is important for school officials:
Iowa Code 100.31 Inspections and Fire Drill

Resources

• International Fire Code
• Fire Prevention Inspection

Playground Safety

It is estimated that every two-and-a-half minutes, a child is treated in an emergency room for a playground-related injury. This does not include the children whose injuries receive treatment outside the emergency room.

On average, 15 children die every year simply because they want to play. It shouldn't take a death or debilitating injury for adults to realize that providing safe play environments should be a top priority.

Resources

• National Program for Playground Safety (NPPS)
• Kids Health -- Playground Safety
• Staying Safe on Playgrounds (National Safety Council)
• Safe Kids Worldwide -- Playground Safety
• National Recreation and Park Association