How to make a school trip safe: expert advice

Due to the quarantine this year, summer holidays in many schools start later. According to educational standards, students are required to unlearn at least 175 days a year. Therefore, a number of schools in the Kiev region and other regions of the country have extended the academic year until June 10. High school students continue to attend lessons, but educational excursions are planned for primary school from 1 to 10. The plan of such excursions is made by teachers and parents, they are also involved in organizing trips and watching the children. For children, excursions are always a wonderful adventure, an opportunity to usefully and have fun with friends. But on the shoulders of parents lies a serious additional responsibility. About how to properly approach the organization of school trips, and what to look for, we were told by a child safety expert, head of the iKid educational project Elena Lizvinskaya.

Despite the fact that the school year is extended in schools absolutely officially, the school administration does not bear responsibility for children outside the school. An exception is if the outdoor event was organized directly by the school and on the school bus. In all other cases, moms and dads will have to blame someone else.

If the class is gathering for a picnic in the park, the teacher and accompanying parents are responsible for the safety and health of the students. If this is a field trip to an enterprise or a museum (organized not by the school, but by the parent committee), then responsibility is shared between the teacher, accompanying parents, the carrier and the host who conducts excursion.

Moreover, in any case, the "helmsman" is always a teacher, followed by the parents who volunteered to accompany the children. For them, Elena Lizvinskaya outlined the main points that must always be taken into account when planning a children's excursion. If you are letting your child go with an excursion, but you cannot accompany him yourself, be sure to take a walk check the list of these rules and see if they will be adhered to by those who take responsibility for the children.

Rule 1: number of children and accompanying persons

“My experience as a child safety expert shows that it is possible to maintain adequate safety in a group of 10-15 children,” says Elena Lizvinskaya. - In this case, the number of accompanying adults must be at least 3 people. If there are more children, calculate the number of accompanying persons according to the scheme "one adult for five children". More adults is possible, less is not possible. Otherwise, adults, if necessary, simply physically will not be able to provide the necessary interaction with children. "

Rule 2: getting to know children

“Accompanying adults must know the children by sight, as well as by their first and last names,” the expert notes. - In case the child has fallen behind or lost, it is important that at least one of the adults knows what he looks like. Of course, the presence of a teacher on the excursion solves this problem, but ideally, each accompanying parent should distinguish the child from the group from other people's children. "

Adults should know children by sight and by name / istockphoto.com

Rule 3: a clear excursion plan

Any trip or hike must be fully planned in advance. All routes must be thought out and agreed upon, all possible complications taken into account. For example, if you have a busy highway on your way, it is better to look for an underground passage in advance or stock up on flags with which you can stop traffic. If there is a railway crossing on the route, check the train timetable and remember that a child can cross the railroad only by the hand with an adult.

Rule 4: Advance Briefing

Before going on an excursion or hiking trip, be sure to pack up in advance, at least 15 minutes before the start of the trip. Give the children clear instructions. Sound the plan and order of actions, the route and the program, tell about how the children need to move (in single file or in pairs), how you will cross the road. The more specific your plan and the better the children and accompanying adults know it, the easier it will be for everyone to navigate and adhere to the sounded program.

A clear briefing before the excursion is required / istockphoto.com

Rule 5: constant attention and control

On outbound excursions, responsibility for children̆, their health and safety is borne primarily by the organizer of the excursion (on the territory), then by the teacher, and then by the accompanying adults. However, this does not mean that in a museum or at an enterprise you can relax, step aside and go about your business. Just at this time, it is very important to monitor the movement of the group around the object of the excursion and to notice the stragglers or overly curious children in time.

Rule 6: transporting children safely

When transporting children, use a licensed carrier. Ideally, it will be a school bus or specialized transport from the local education department. Their drivers know all the subtleties and nuances of moving with children. If you are hiring a private bus, be sure to check for availability seat belts (on each seat). Find out if the driver has the appropriate insurance. In addition, it is advisable that the bus be equipped with a special sign warning that there are children in it.

“I recommend, if possible, to negotiate with the parents about the independent̆ transportation of the child to the place of the excursion,” emphasizes Elena Lizvinskaya. "This significantly reduces the risks associated with the road for all participants."

Use licensed carriers / istockphoto.com

Rule 7: no gadgets

This is not an obvious, but very important rule that will make any excursion and trip much safer. The smartphone distracts the child, so there is a high probability that he will fall behind the group. There are situations when children risk themselves for the sake of beautiful photos: without realizing the danger, selfie fans can secretly from the accompanying climb a dangerous object. Therefore, Elena Lizvinskaya strongly advises to replace smartphones with simple mobile phones or a watch with a tracker during the excursion.

Rule 8: at least one first aid kit

I don't want to think about the bad before the school trip. However, critical situations should still be foreseen. Be sure to check with the teacher if there is an opportunity to take a school first-aid kit on the tour. If this is not possible, negotiate with the parents and complete the first aid kit yourself. The required minimum, which should be in it: adhesive plaster, cotton wool, bandages, antiseptic (hydrogen peroxide, chlorhexidine, iodine), scissors (to make the dressing), antipyretic drugs (paracetamol, ibuprofen), antispasmodics. Also, just in case, you can put antiallergic drugs and drugs for motion sickness (if you are planning a long bus trip). It is also very desirable to stock up on hygiene products - it is better to take wet and dry wipes based on the whole group (it is not a fact that every child will bring them with him).

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