Safety 101: Your Back-to-School Roadmap

It’s that time of year again when students are prepping their backpacks, sharpening their pencils, and getting ready to learn. This back-to-school season, school administrators should also be doing their homework to brush up on the most important subject: safety.

The start of a new school year is the perfect time to review your safety protocols and create a clear roadmap for inspections, training, and emergency preparedness.

Use these monthly and annual checklists to keep your school safe, compliant, and secure — so students and staff can focus on learning, not worrying.

Fire Safety Essentials: School Fire Alarms, Sprinklers & Extinguishers

Preventive maintenance isn’t just best practice—it prevents false alarms, ensures your school’s system works when it matters most, and ultimately saves lives. Use this checklist to make certain your school’s fire safety systems stay ahead of the curve.

Monthly:

  • Look for dust, corrosion, or damage on equipment and clean or repair where necessary.
  • Conduct routine fire drills so that students, teachers, and other staff members know how to respond calmly and safely.
  • Maintain thorough records of fire extinguisher inspections, maintenance, and repairs.

Annually:

  • Repair or replace components as needed. Old or outdated parts can be swapped out with newer ones to stay compliant with modern codes.
  • Review fire codes and safety regulations to make sure your building meets all requirements.
  • Update your fire safety plan and make sure all staff are familiar with the plan.

School Security Measures

In today’s world, proactive planning is essential for school security. This checklist will help you protect everyone in your building and ensure your school’s security system is ready for any threat.

Monthly:

  • Inspect gates, fences, and security cameras for proper function.
  • Test security alarms regularly to make sure they’re alerting the right people at the right time.
  • Verify that communication systems, such as intercoms and emergency alert systems, operate as expected.
  • Hold regular emergency drills so that responses become second nature.

Annually:

  • Develop a crisis response plan for situations like active shooter events, natural disasters, and more.
  • Train staff and teachers on how to respond in each scenario.
  • Equip staff with resources to identify early warning signs in student behavior.

Emergency Lighting & Exits

In an emergency, everyone needs a clear and safe way out. Use this checklist to ensure your school building’s emergency lighting and exit systems illuminate the path to safety.

Monthly:

  • Test battery and light output for at least 30 seconds.
  • Inspect for corrosion or wear and repair or replace as needed.
  • Clean fixtures to remove dust and debris.

Annually:

  • Run a full 90-minute emergency light simulation.
  • Adjust light beams for optimal coverage.
  • Consider upgrading to energy-efficient LED systems.
  • Draw up clear emergency exit routes for each section of the building.
  • Train all staff on emergency exit routes and lighting locations.

First to Final Bell: Make Safety a Priority Year-Round

Safety isn’t a one-time lesson. It’s an ongoing commitment. By staying proactive with regular fire safety inspections, safety training, and security system checks, school administrators can create a secure learning environment for all.

Ready to Start the School Year with Confidence?

As you prepare for the new school year, contact your local Silco Fire & Security office to schedule a comprehensive school safety assessment or inspection. We’re here to help you protect what matters most!