Safety drills are one of the most important ways schools prepare for emergencies. Drills equip students and staff with the skills they need to respond safely in a crisis, build confidence while reducing anxiety, and help school leaders identify weaknesses in their emergency response plans before a real situation occurs.

As you prepare for the new school year, here are five practical tips to help improve your school's safety drills and make them more effective for everyone involved.

1. Rotate through different scenarios to build comfort

Drills help everyone in the community react quickly in an emergency. Practicing multiple different scenarios, including fire, shelter-in-place, and earthquake drills, helps build the confidence to act decisively in a real event.

2. Communicate clearly with staff, students, and families

Let people know the purpose of each drill in advance, what to expect, and whether it will be announced or unannounced. Clear communication reduces confusion and unnecessary anxiety while building trust.

3. Consider timing

Conduct drills at different times of day and in different situations, such as during class, on buses, and during lunch. Avoid high-stress times like major tests or field trips, and avoid clustering multiple drills close together. It's also worth rescheduling a drill if a major national event, such as a school shooting or large-scale fire, is still dominating the news cycle.

4. Use age-appropriate, trauma-informed practices

Drills should teach preparedness without creating fear. Avoid overly realistic simulations, loud surprises, simulated injuries, or aggressive role-playing, especially for younger students. People with a history of trauma, even trauma unrelated to the specific emergency being practiced, may have stronger responses to drills.

5. Review and improve after every drill

Conduct a short debrief with staff and emergency responders after each drill. Identify what worked, what caused confusion, and what needs improvement. Updating procedures based on that feedback makes future drills more effective and safer.

Safety drills help schools prepare for emergencies while building confidence and reducing anxiety. By thoughtfully planning drills, communicating clearly, using trauma-informed practices, and continuously improving procedures, you can create a safer learning environment. As you prepare for the school year ahead, small improvements to your safety drills can make a meaningful difference when it matters most.