This Week’s SafeSchools Minute

In a Hallway During an Emergency

Part of the Guided Weekly School Safety Program

How to Use This Week’s Reminder

Share this week's SafeSchools Minute with your staff through your school's usual communication channels.

Use the Ready-to-Send Email below to quickly copy and paste a message into your email, then attach the Reminder PDF before sending.

Each reminder takes about one minute to read and reinforces an important everyday school safety habit.

Included with this Reminder

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  • Subject: This Week’s Safety Reminder: In a Hallway During an Emergency

    Staff,

    This week’s SafeSchools Minute™ focuses on In a Hallway During an Emergency.

    Emergencies do not always begin when everyone is inside a classroom. Staff and students may be in hallways, restrooms, stairwells, cafeterias, or other common areas when an emergency announcement is made.

    In those situations, the safest response may be to move to the nearest appropriate secure location rather than attempting to return to your regular classroom.

    This week, take a moment to think about the common areas you use throughout the day and identify the nearest safe location from each one.

    Please take one minute to review the attached reminder.

    During an emergency, the nearest safe option may be better than the usual destination.

    Thank you for helping us reduce hesitation and improve our emergency readiness.

  • Emergencies do not always begin when everyone is safely inside a classroom.

    Students and staff may be in hallways, restrooms, stairwells, the cafeteria, or another common area when an emergency announcement is made. In those moments, the safest response may be to move to the nearest appropriate secure location rather than trying to return to an assigned classroom.

    Staff should avoid unnecessary movement through the building and use the safest available option based on the emergency and the school’s established procedures.

    The goal is to reduce hesitation and avoid moving people toward danger.

    During an emergency, the nearest safe option may be better than the usual destination.

  • What should you do if an emergency begins while you are in a hallway or other common area?

    Suggested response:

    Follow the school’s emergency procedure and move to the nearest appropriate safe location.

    Staff should consider:

    • The type of emergency
    • The nearest secure room or safe area
    • Whether the normal route is still safe
    • The students or individuals with you
    • How to maintain accountability
    • Whether movement would bring you closer to the threat

    Do not automatically try to return to your regular classroom if a safer option is closer.

  • Pay particular attention to:

    • Hallways with limited access to secure rooms
    • Staff who may be unsure where to go from common areas
    • Restrooms, stairwells, cafeterias, and other spaces used during transitions
    • Doors that may not be accessible during an emergency
    • Students who could become separated from their group
    • Staff assuming they must return to their assigned room
    • Areas where emergency directions may not be clearly understood

    Knowing the nearby safe options before an emergency can reduce confusion.

  • This week, choose two common areas you regularly use and identify the nearest appropriate safe location from each one.

    Ask yourself:

    • Where would I go if an emergency started right now?
    • Is there a closer safe option than my regular classroom?
    • Could I get the students with me there quickly?
    • How would I account for everyone once we reached safety?

    Know your nearest safe option before you need it.

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