Revised January 2011 – Community Concerns
PTAs have a responsibility to identify and promote awareness of safety problems in the school community and, in collaboration with others, to help develop solutions.
Safety is a growing concern for the public. Preparedness for emergencies and disasters, as well as the prevention of unintentional injuries, is a serious concern of those who care for children in the home, at school, and in the community.
Activities to promote safety are related closely to and can be incorporated in all PTA efforts.
Recommended Actions
Establish an ongoing working relationship with the school district and safety agencies within the community (e.g., local branches of the National Safe Kids Coalition). Attend safety workshops, conferences, and clinics.
Research the facts on safety problems and regulations in the school and community. Interview school officials, student leaders, local police, fire officials, and members of health departments, safety councils, automobile clubs, medical societies, and other groups involved in keeping the community safe.
Determine what safety instruction is included in the school curriculum, K-12, and adult education programs.
Become familiar with the school district’s and school site’s state-mandated disaster preparedness program. Is it up-to-date, adequate and enforced?
Cooperate with school authorities to inform the public of these programs.
Cooperate with PTA program chairman to plan a safety program for at least one PTA meeting during the year. Secure guest speakers from community safety agencies. Make announcements and arrange displays, exhibits, and posters at meetings.
Sponsor parent-education safety awareness programs.
Keep informed about all safety legislation and pending legislation at the local, state, and federal levels of government. Study measures regulating schools and residential areas.
See Job Description for Safety and Disaster Preparedness Crisis Response.
For additional ideas, see Creating an Event.
See “Safety” in Advocacy Topic Index for related resolutions, position statements and guidelines.
Additional Resources
See “Safety” in the Advocacy Topic Index for related resolutions, position statements or guidelines.
California Attorney General’s Crime and Violence Prevention Center (http://safestate.org)
California Coalition for Children’s Health and Safety (www.sacadvocacy.com/cccsh/cccsh.html)
California Department of Consumer Affairs (www.dca.ca.gov or www.dca.ca.gov/kids/index.html)
California Safe Kids (www.usa.safekids.org)
California Safe School Coalition (www.casafeschools.org)
Child Safety Network (www.csn.org)
California State Automobile Association (www.csaa and www.aaa-calif.com)
Insurance Information Institute (www.iii.org)
National Education Association (www.nea.org)
National Safe Kids (www.usa.safekids.org)
National Safety Council (www.nsc.org)
Safe Kids Worldwide (www.safekids.org)
California Emergency Management Agency (Cal EMA) (http//:www.calema.ca.gov)
County Offices of Emergency Services (searchable on the California Emergency Management Agency website, http//:www.calema.ca.gov/)
