Fire Drill Ready

Happy Wednesday everyone!

Yesterday was one of my favorite NOT SO favorite moments at school... we had a FIRE DRLL! We practice at least once a month so you would think that by now the kiddos and I are pretty much used to it, right? Unfortunately, no. My little ones have improved so much this year and are now able to get out of the building faster! I still remember our first fire drill I had 2 students cry and another one who wouldn't stop screaming! We've come a long way...

That's why I've decided to share a few tips to make these times of the month a little easier for you and your kids and to make sure we are keeping everybody safe!

TEACH the expectations

At the beginning of the year (at least) take the time to teach your kids WHAT they are expected to do during a fire drill and HOW they are expected to behave. Let's face it.. students will not do it if we don't show them. Schools might have different ways to do it, but the first week of school I always show my students our emergency exit and we practice it several times until everyone is comfortable and knows how to get out of the building.

ANSWER their questions and what ifs
- Where will they go?
- What will they do if they are in the restroom/office/another classroom?
- What if I can't find you?
- Who will be the line leader?
- What if the line leader isn't here?
- Who will close the door?

Fire Drill Bag
At the beginning of the year, I make sure this fire drill bag is full and ready to go!

I include some essentials and things I would need in case of an emergency. You never know when you will actually NEED these items and I love to be prepared.

Some of the items I include are:
- Water
- Tissues
- First aid kit (I lost mine! so I had to improvise until I remember to get a new one)
- One piece of candy for each student
- Extra cell phone charger 
- Hand sanitizer
- some change $$$ (umbrella is included in the picture because I took it to our field trip lol)

I use a small hook to hang this bag by the door and I quickly grab it on my way out.

Include EMERGENCY contact numbers sheet in your bag!

When I was a first year teacher my school had what appeared to be a fire drill just for practice. However, there was some kind of problem in the building and we had to stay on the street for almost an hour (can you imagine how chaotic it was?) ... I started freaking out because I did not have the UPDATED contact information for any of my children...I had some numbers saved on my cell phone (which was also about to die). Ever since that day, I make sure my fire drill bag always has an extra cell phone charger AND a hard copy with my students' emergency contact information. 

You can grab a copy HERE. 

Tell us.. How do you ensure your students' safety during emergencies?