ChurchSafety

Church Vacation Bible School programs can be one of the largest outreaches of the year. Many children walk through the church doors for the first time, and many parents trust their kids will be safe at that church—and why shouldn't they expect that much? Aren't they right? Their children should be safe in your church, and you need to do everything possible to keep them safe. Use these simple tips below to get started.

Designate a safety/security officer. This person oversees all the safety issues that could surface during your event. They also do all the planning ahead of time, so you have clear procedures in case of an emergency.

Inspect areas and equipment. The areas in use should be inspected daily for safety issues, including any equipment that's being used.

Use a sign in/out system. It would be best to set up a sign in/out process that would allow you to make sure a child doesn't go home with the wrong person.

Provide basic medial precautions. Keep a first aid kit where all the volunteers can access it. You may also want to keep several non-prescription drugs handy.

Require a written application. Know your volunteers and their backgrounds. You do not want to be accused of negligent screening if something were to happen. Written applications can help you see if they're qualified for volunteering during your VBS week. If they've never volunteered to work with children before, run a background check on them too.

Screen drivers. This is another area of possible negligence. If your program includes drivers, you will need to screen them before giving them the job.

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