With the school year under way, children are doing homework, creating science fair projects, and engaging in after-school activities. However, medical emergencies also occur at schools every day, and the effects of community violence have spread to many schools, making school safety a top priority for many parents. The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) wants to help communities develop effective responses for all kinds of school emergencies.

"Children spend most of their waking hours at school," Tiffany Osborn, MD, of ACEP. "While schools are safe places for most children, nearly 1 million kids are injured at school each year, from activities such as falling from playground equipment, getting burned in a lab fire, or being cut by broken glass. Parents and school personnel must work together to prevent emergencies and to develop comprehensive plans for dealing with a broad range of emergencies, including injuries and illness, natural disasters, bomb threats, fires, and violence."

A school health report, published by the Institute of Medicine, recommends that communities answer the following questions:

• Does the school have an emergency plan? If so, what are its provisions?
• Are school personnel informed about how to access the community's emergency medical care system?
• Are school personnel trained in first aid and CPR?
• What school accident prevention and reporting systems are in place? How is information from these reports used to modify risks for students?
• How are emergency medical services providers involved in educating and training school-based health personnel and other school staff?

"Talk honestly and openly with your child about issues, such as personal safety, alcohol, drugs, and violence," added Dr. Osborn. "In addition, find out whether your child's school has a full-time nurse on duty, whether school personnel are trained in first aid and CPR, and whether lunchroom staff are trained in the Heimlich maneuver."

ACEP also recommends providing the school a medical consent-to-treat form for each child and finding out what the school's policy states about calling 911 — to make sure that in an emergency, school personnel can obtain immediate help for your child without having to notify anyone first.

Obtain a consent-to-treat form on ACEP's Web site.