With the world’s population increasing at approximately 1.1% annually, the sheer volume of student traffic in schools is also steadily increasing. As such, maintaining student safety should be a top priority for all educational institutions.

It is no secret that slips and falls are the number one cause of injuries in schools. However, institutions are taking an active role in maintaining high standards of safety for both students and teachers.

In this article, we are going to look at the various strategies educational institutions can put in place to ensure safety and minimize the occurrence of slips and falls, as well as other related injuries.

• Choice of flooring

Whether at school, at work, or at home, a good flooring choice plays a significant role in minimizing the occurrence of slips and falls. At the design and building stage of schools, the proprietor and other construction experts should come up with appropriate flooring choices for the different spaces.

For instance, when choosing the best gym flooring, choose a quality and durable floor type that does well in high performance rooms.

It is good to note that hard surfaces are not the best flooring option for schools because they often become slippery when wet. As a precaution, entry carpets should be installed in every entry way to absorb moisture brought in by shoes during wet and snowy seasons. What’s more, carpets offer better traction as compared to other hard flooring options, significantly bringing down the likelihood of falling.

• Proper footwear

Advocating for sensible footwear to fashion savvy school staff and students is not easy. However, put strict measures in place to ensure students and other staff members wear appropriate and weather-safe footwear around the school.

Have storage spaces for non-students, where they can store their fashionable shoes until they are ready to leave work.

Other preventive measures

Depending on the architectural design of the school, various anti-slip measures can be put in place.

Younger students particularly, can be taught on the tips that minimize the likelihood of fall and slip injuries. Some of these tips include:

• Making use of handrails as they go up and down the staircases. Handrails can help stabilize individuals in case they miss a step. This is particularly critical if serious injuries are to be minimized.
• Avoid running up and down hallways as one becomes prone to falls. Instead, students should use short, quick steps as they move from one place to the other.
• When in need of something out of reach and a ladder is the only solution, inspect it for breakages or corrosion. Also, ensure it has a level footing and never use it in high-traffic areas where someone could bump into it.

Apart from the above factors, the school committee should ensure all school property is properly stored. No wires, extension cords, or cables should be left hanging on the hallways and proper safety inspection should be carried out regularly.

Last but not least, any breakages or cracks should be dealt with as soon as possible.