The videos at the bottom of this blog are great tools and I hope everyone watches them. However, as a former teacher of 10+ years between public and private school, I always wondered why schools are NOT being more creative and proactive regarding school safety. All of the ideas listed below in the "Bucket List" were emailed to school administration, local news media, etc., in hopes that someday schools will adopt some of these ideas to improve school safety in the United States.
Over the past few years, new training called A.L.I.C.E. (see videos below) have been developed promoting teachers and students to "fight back" against attackers, instead of cowering under desks. I totally agree, but I also want to give teachers and students practical tools to actually "fight back" and better prepare everyone for these types of situations. As you probably know, most schools are NOT going to arm specific teachers and staff members to deter future shootings. Therefore, let's start discussing non-lethal options that could be given to each classroom teacher (for multiple types of extreme emergencies). Here's a "Bucket List" of ideas for a teacher's room and I'd love for others to comment below with more ideas and examples. EMERGENCY "BUCKET LIST" CONTENTS 1) Bucket ($7.29) - to hold golf balls in the classroom www.amazon.com/STERILITE-11205812-Spout-Pail-quart/dp/B000LNQ762/ 2) Pepper Spray ($10.92) - to subdue and take down an active shooter in a classroom and has a range of 18 feet www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004NKSPR8/ 3) Stun Gun ($12.98) - to immobilize an active shooter in a classroom www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FHIDVYQ/ 4) Golf Balls ($15.65) - are used to use to hit, distract, and disorientate an active shooter in a classroom www.amazon.com/Color-Recycled-Golf-Balls-Pack/dp/B072K3P8S7 5) Duck Tape ($3.49) - to tie up an active shooter once they are taken down www.amazon.com/Duck-Brand-1304959-Inches-Single/dp/B002TOL400 6) Fire Extinguisher ($16.39) - this can be used to put out any room fires, but also used to distract and disorientate an active shooter (this can be purchased in bulk cheaper) www.amazon.com/Fire-Gone-FGC-1100-Suppressant-Blister/dp/B00D693FWM 7) Self Adhesive Clips ($9.51) - to quickly reposition a poster over a door window to block views of an active shooter (comes in a pack of 30 so they can be distributed to multiple teachers) www.amazon.com/dp/B001UG187C/ 8) Pennies or Security Bar ($0.05 - $14.86) - for doors that open out into the hallway, you can penny the door closed so an intruder cannot easily enter a classroom (I can show/demonstrate and this can be more effective than tying a doorknob closed with rope). However, if the door opens into the classroom a security bar will work much better www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YUX8I/ 9) Hammer ($7.95) - this can be used for rooms with windows to help students and teachers escape from a school during an active shooter situation or fire www.amazon.com/H-B-Smith-GH99-Hammer-Tubular/dp/B000I1VDQ6/ 10) Ladder Escape ($27.79 - $47.06) - this can be used for rooms with windows on the second floor ($27.79) or third floors (47.06) to escape a fire or active shooter www.amazon.com/dp/B00005OU7B/ APPROXIMATE COST PER TEACHER ($75 to $120) - the overall bucket cost depends on #8, #9, & #10 and if a classroom has a window, or if the classroom is on the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd floor, or if the classroom door opens into the room or swings out into the hallway, and the constantly changing prices on Amazon.
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AuthorPaul Iwanaga is a former public & private school teacher of 10+ years from the great state of Oklahoma. ArchivesCategories |