Back to School: Environmental Health Safety Checklist for Parents

You would do anything to keep your kids safe and healthy. You try to cook nutritious, wholesome meals. You make sure your children know how to contact you in an emergency. You even make sure all of their toys are made from non-toxic plastics. But is their school environment safe (for them and the planet, too)?

This back-to-school season, the last thing you should have to worry about is whether your children's health is at risk from a variety of environmental hazards at their school. Think about it: Your children spend up to 8 hours on a school campus where they could be victims of allergens, airborne pathogens, toxic chemicals, school bus emissions, etc. This is to say nothing about the things your child's school might do to pollute the earth.

It's hard to know where to start. How do you know if your school is safe for your kids? How do you know if your school is doing enough to protect the earth from pollution?

That's why we've put together this handy environmental health safety checklist for parents. Print this article out, and bring it to your kids' school. This environmental safety checklist will help highlight areas that your school needs to improve on, whether its for keeping your kids healthy, or preserving the earth in an eco-conscious manner.

A Parent's Environmental Safety School Checklist: (Circle Y for "Yes," or N for "No)

What to do with this checklist: If you answered Yes to any of these questions, consult your school officials to find a safe and environmentally-conscious solution.

1. Do vehicles, especially school buses, sit with their engines idling near the school?

Y N

Idling vehicles fill the air with emissions and pollution. Are they idling near vents into the school classrooms? Can you smell exhaust from within the school campus? Be sure your school has a policy regarding idling buses and other vehicles, especially if the exhaust is making its way into the school itself.

2. Does the school use pesticides or insecticides in its landscaping?

Y N

If pesticides or insecticides are used, check to see what steps the school takes to ensure children do not go near areas that have been treated.

3. Is the school undergoing construction?

Y N

If so, how is the school handling dust, chemicals, construction hazards (such as nails and exposed hardware) and pollution.

4. Is the school clean?

Y N

A common environmental safety hazard to watch for is mold (are those water stains on the ceiling?), musty smells (a common sign of poor ventilation and potential breeding ground for airborne mold), and dirty, dusty carpets and upholstery.

5. Do the cafeteria workers follow food safety rules?

Y N

Most schools follow strict food safety procedures, but it's always good to double-check. How is food stored, and is food kept at the proper temperatures? A common source of food poisoning is caused by food kept at temperatures that aren't hot or cold enough. Also, are preparation areas kept clean and sanitized regularly? Do workers wear gloves and hair nets?

6. Does the school use hazardous cleaning and sanitation chemicals?

Y N

What do the school janitors use to clean the classrooms, school hallways and bathrooms? Check to see how these products are stored when not in use, and whether children have access to them while the janitors are cleaning. Also, does the school have a plan should a student come in contact with dangerous chemicals? And are these chemicals disposed of in an environmentally-conscious manner?

Is your child's school environmentally safe?

Use this safety checklist to determine the level of environmental safety at your kids' school. If you notice any alarming problems, work with your school officials to find a solution that is healthy for your child, and safe for the environment. It's much better to take a proactive stance concerning your child's health, than waiting for something to go wrong at school!