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2020

Learn About Caring for Children in a Disaster

Children are more vulnerable than adults in emergency situations. Take steps to protect children.

How are Children Different from Adults?
  • Children’s bodies are different from adults’ bodies.
    • They are more likely to get sick or severely injured.
      • They breathe in more air per pound of body weight than adults do.
      • They have thinner skin, and more of it per pound of body weight (higher surface-to-mass ratio).
      • They have less fluid in their bodies, so fluid loss (e.g. dehydration, blood loss) can have a bigger effect on children.
    • They are more likely to lose too much body heat.
    • They spend more time outside and on the ground. They also put their hands in their mouths more often than adults do.
  • Children need help from adults in an emergency.
    • They don’t fully understand how to keep themselves safe.
      • Older children and adolescents may take their cues from others.
      • Young children may freeze, cry, or scream.
    • They may not be able to explain what hurts or bothers them.
    • They are more likely to get the care they need when they have parents or other caregivers around.
    • Laws require an adult to make medical decisions for a child.
    • There is limited information on the ways some illnesses and medicines affect children. Sometimes adults will have to make decisions with the information they have.
  • Mental stress from a disaster can be harder on children.
    • They feel less of a sense of control.
    • They understand less about the situation.
    • They have fewer experiences bouncing back from hard situations.
Helping Children Cope with Emergencies
Before
  • Talk to your children so that they know you are prepared to keep them safe.
  • Review safety plans before a disaster or emergency happens. Having a plan will increase your children’s confidence and help give them a sense of control.
During
  • Stay calm and reassure your children.
  • Talk to children about what is happening in a way that they can understand.   Keep it simple and appropriate for each child’s age.
After
  • Provide children with opportunities to talk about what they went through or what they think about it. Encourage them to share concerns and ask questions.
  • You can help your children feel a sense of control and manage their feelings by encouraging them to take action directly related to the disaster. For example, children can help others after a disaster, including volunteering to help community or family members in a safe environment. Children should NOT participate in disaster cleanup activities for health and safety reasons.
  • It is difficult to predict how some children will respond to disasters and traumatic events. Because parents, teachers, and other adults see children in different situations, it is important for them to work together to share information about how each child is coping after a traumatic event.
Children and Youth with Special Healthcare Needs in Emergencies

Planning is key. It is important for families to have an emergency care planexternal icon in place in case a public health emergency like a natural disaster, act of terrorism, or disease outbreak occurs. If there is a child with special healthcare needs in your family, you and your family can prepare by developing a written emergency care plan and practicing your plan. For example, a plan can include medicines or assistance devices that your child needs. If possible, let your child help make the plan. Healthcare providers can work with families of children with special healthcare needs to make sure the child’s needs are covered in the family emergency plan and to identify support networks in your community.

Appropriate response. Stay as connected as possible with children and with others, as these connections can help in providing care and support in an emergency while distracting children to lessen their worries and anxiety. Talk to children about what is happening in a way that they can understand. Keep it simple and consider the child’s age and type of disability. For example, it may be hard to know how much information a child with autism is learning through television and conversations. Adults may have to look for clues that provide information on the feelings and fears of these children.

After the disaster. A disaster can have long-term effects on the mental and emotional health of all children. Coping with a disaster can be particularly difficult for children with disabilities. Children who have serious emotional and behavioral problems are at high risk for severe stress after a disaster or traumatic event. In many cases, it may help to maintain as much of a normal routine and environment as possible. It is important that parents, caregivers, and healthcare providers know how to help children cope after an emergency to support their health and well-being

SOURCE: “Learn About Caring for Children in a Disaster.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 9 Mar. 2020, www.cdc.gov/childrenindisasters/index.html.

March 22, 2020
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Guidance for School Administrators to Help Reduce the Spread of Seasonal Influenza in K-12 Schools

This document from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides guidance to help reduce the spread of seasonal influenza (flu) among students and staff in K-12 schools. Recommendations are based on CDC’s current knowledge of flu in the United States. CDC will continue to monitor flu activity and update this guidance as needed.

On This Page
Background

Each day, about 55 million students and 7 million staff attend the more than 130,000 public and private schools in the United States. By implementing the recommendations in this document, schools can help protect one-fifth of the country’s population from flu. Collaboration is essential. CDC, the U.S. Department of Education, state/local public health and education agencies, schools, staff, students, families, businesses, and communities should work together to reduce the spread of flu and other respiratory infections.

School-aged children are at high risk of flu complications

People of all ages get sick with flu. School-aged children are a group with a high rate of flu illness. Vaccination to prevent influenza is particularly important for people who are at high risk of serious complications from influenza

Reccomendations
  • Encourage students and staff to stay home when sick.
  • Encourage respiratory etiquette among students and staff through education and the provision of supplies
  • Encourage hand hygiene among students and staff through education, scheduled time for handwashing, and the provision of supplies.
  • Encourage students and staff to keep their hands away from their nose, mouth, and eyes.
  • Encourage routine surface cleaning through education, policy, and the provision of supplies
  • Educate students, parents, and staff on what to do if someone gets sick.
  • Teach students, parents, and staff the signs and symptoms of flu, emergency warning signs, and high risk groups
  • Separate sick students and staff from others until they can be picked up to go home
  • Encourage students, parents, and staff to take antiviral drugs if their health care professional prescribes them
  • Establish relationships with state and local public health officials for ongoing communication

SOURCE: “Guidance for School Administrators to Help Reduce the Spread of Seasonal Influenza in K-12 Schools.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 July 2018, www.cdc.gov/flu/school/guidance.htm.

March 22, 2020
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REMS Resources: Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) for Education Agencies

The U.S. Department of Education (the Department) Office of Safe and Supportive Schools (OSSS) and its REMS TA Center have been providing many supports to education agencies as they prepare for and engage in continuity, response, and recovery efforts related to the pandemic.

Source: https://rems.ed.gov/coronavirus.aspx

School EOPs In-Depth: Planning for Infectious Diseases Online Course

Take this online course to learn how to develop an Infectious Disease Annex and begin infectious disease planning at your school.

https://rems.ed.gov/trainings/CourseInfectious.aspx

SPECIALIZED TRAINING PACKAGES

Download this training package to learn and train colleagues on how to incorporate infectious disease planning into a school emergency operations plan.

https://rems.ed.gov/TrainingPackage.aspx

March 22, 2020
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Addressing Biological Hazards That May Impact Students, Staff, and Visitors

School Decision Tree

REMS TA Center Website

What’s on This Page?

Resources from the REMS TA Center, U.S. Department of Education, and federal agency partners on the topic of addressing a variety of biological hazards within K-12 schools and IHEs. The hazard types are organized alphabetically, along with the resources associated with each hazard. View the latest recommendations specific to COVID-19 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Education, and the REMS TA Center via this page.

SOURCE: “Addressing Biological Hazards That May Impact Students, Staff, and Visitors.” REMS TA Center Website, rems.ed.gov/Resources_Hazards_Threats_Biological_Hazards.aspx.

March 22, 2020
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How To Clean and Disinfect Schools To Help Slow the Spread of Flu

Cleaning and disinfecting are part of a broad approach to preventing infectious diseases in schools. To help slow the spread of influenza (flu), the first line of defense is getting vaccinated. Other measures include staying home when sick, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands often. Below are tips on how to slow the spread of flu specifically through cleaning and disinfecting.

1. Know the difference between cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing

  • Cleaning removes germs, dirt, and impurities from surfaces or objects. Cleaning works by using soap (or detergent) and water to physically remove germs from surfaces. This process does not necessarily kill germs, but by removing them, it lowers their numbers and the risk of spreading infection.
  • Disinfecting kills germs on surfaces or objects. Disinfecting works by using chemicals to kill germs on surfaces or objects. This process does not necessarily clean dirty surfaces or remove germs, but by killing germs on a surface after cleaning, it can further lower the risk of spreading infection.
  • Sanitizing lowers the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level, as judged by public health standards or requirements. This process works by either cleaning or disinfecting surfaces or objects to lower the risk of spreading infection.

2. Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that are touched often

  • Follow your school’s standard procedures for routine cleaning and disinfecting. Typically, this means daily sanitizing surfaces and objects that are touched often, such as desks, countertops, doorknobs, computer keyboards, hands-on learning items, faucet handles, phones, and toys. Some schools may also require daily disinfecting these items. Standard procedures often call for disinfecting specific areas of the school, like bathrooms.
  • Immediately clean surfaces and objects that are visibly soiled. If surfaces or objects are soiled with body fluids or blood, use gloves and other standard precautions to avoid coming into contact with the fluid. Remove the spill, and then clean and disinfect the surface.

3. Simply do routine cleaning and disinfecting

  • It is important to match your cleaning and disinfecting activities to the types of germs you want to remove or kill. Most studies have shown that the flu virus can live and potentially infect a person for up to 48 hours after being deposited on a surface. However, it is not necessary to close schools to clean or disinfect every surface in the building to slow the spread of flu. Also, if students and staff are dismissed because the school cannot function normally (e.g., high absenteeism during a flu outbreak), it is not necessary to do extra cleaning and disinfecting.
  • Flu viruses are relatively fragile, so standard cleaning and disinfecting practices are sufficient to remove or kill them. Special cleaning and disinfecting processes, including wiping down walls and ceilings, frequently using room air deodorizers, and fumigating, are not necessary or recommended. These processes can irritate eyes, noses, throats, and skin; aggravate asthma; and cause other serious side effects.

4. Clean and disinfect correctly

  • Always follow label directions on cleaning products and disinfectants. Wash surfaces with a general household cleaner to remove germs. Rinse with water, and follow with an EPA-registered disinfectant to kill germs. Read the label to make sure it states that EPA has approved the product for effectiveness against influenza A virus.
  • If a surface is not visibly dirty, you can clean it with an EPA-registered product that both cleans (removes germs) and disinfects (kills germs) instead. Be sure to read the label directions carefully, as there may be a separate procedure for using the product as a cleaner or as a disinfectant. Disinfection usually requires the product to remain on the surface for a certain period of time (e.g., letting it stand for 3 to 5 minutes).
  • Use disinfecting wipes on electronic items that are touched often, such as phones and computers. Pay close attention to the directions for using disinfecting wipes. It may be necessary to use more than one wipe to keep the surface wet for the stated length of contact time. Make sure that the electronics can withstand the use of liquids for cleaning and disinfecting.

5. Use products safely

  • Pay close attention to hazard warnings and directions on product labels. Cleaning products and disinfectants often call for the use of gloves or eye protection. For example, gloves should always be worn to protect your hands when working with bleach solutions.
  • Do not mix cleaners and disinfectants unless the labels indicate it is safe to do so. Combining certain products (such as chlorine bleach and ammonia cleaners) can result in serious injury or death.
  • Ensure that custodial staff, teachers, and others who use cleaners and disinfectants read and understand all instruction labels and understand safe and appropriate use. This might require that instructional materials and training be provided in other languages.

6. Handle waste properly

  • Follow your school’s standard procedures for handling waste, which may include wearing gloves. Place no-touch waste baskets where they are easy to use. Throw disposable items used to clean surfaces and items in the trash immediately after use. Avoid touching used tissues and other waste when emptying waste baskets. Wash your hands with soap and water after emptying waste baskets and touching used tissues and similar waste.

7. Learn more

SOURCE: “How To Clean and Disinfect Schools To Help Slow the Spread of Flu.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 July 2018, www.cdc.gov/flu/school/cleaning.htm

March 13, 2020
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Password Management

Password Management

We all know the exasperated eye roll that follows a “wrong password, try again” pop-up. It’s your fourth login attempt and, short of entering your seventh grade Yahoo password, there isn’t a combination you haven’t tried. 

Expired passwords, too many login attempts, and unique password requirements often leave us with several different versions of password combinations for sites. We know that writing them down on that coffee stained sticky note is tempting, but hear us out. Password managers are a simple and practical tool for the storage of your sensitive data. In the last 2 years, our Customer Success team has been asked about passwords an average of 17 times a month, equating to a need for help every other day. As frustrating as it can be, we at nSide recognize the value of administering password management, and we’re here to help you stay organized. 

Sites often demand specific requirements for username and password settings, such as uppercase letters or special character rules. And although it seems easier to only have one username/password combination, this approach will result in leaving your accounts at risk of cyber attack. If an attacker breaches even one of your accounts, they will undoubtedly try the same combination to poach information from your remaining records. So, not only do password managers keep all of your account information in one place, they also work to prevent others from acquiring your personal information.

Many users are not familiar with resources designed for this issue, hence the large amount of questions we receive in this area. Luckily, there are both free and acquirable password management applications such as LastPass, Dashlane, and Bitwarden that can get you on the right path.

Our Solution

Regardless of your selected password manager, the first choice you need to make is setting a master password. This master password is the only password you will have to remember going forward, so it’s crucial that you choose one strong enough to ensure the safekeeping of your password database. If you determine it’s best to write it down, we suggest that you store it in a safe, confidential space for the purpose of protecting your data. Of course, it’s important to note that whether you decide to physically store your master password or devote it to memory – you maintain that it won’t be lost. As with all passwords, losing it means going through a series of difficult channels to attain or reset it once more. The misplacement of this singular password also means the misplacement of your collected passwords. It might sound a bit intimidating, but it is this very function that protects your stored data from being viewed by anyone without access to the master password.

Upon setting and storing your master password, it’s likely you will need to start shifting your prior account passwords to more secure ones. Many password managers have the option to generate new passwords for you that are both unique and strong in form, and as they are changed, you will have the ability to arrange them according to category of business. This frees up your time spent searching for sensitive information and provides you with an organized structure to eliminate guesswork.

The only step left in your password management system is the simplest yet: remain up-to-date. Don’t forget to continue creating and storing your account information in the system, because the moment you lose track is the moment you become susceptible to losing track of your data. As you continue building your online accounts, remember that you now have an archive to preserve them for you!

Applications

While a great deal of password managers are accessible, we believe that the three below offer diverse values according to your individual or organizational preference. So, in this next section we’ll look at reliable options and leave it to you to choose what best meets your needs.

LastPass: Upon logging in, you’ll find that you can enter every unique username and password you have for business, social media, and team folders. After creating an account with LastPass, you can utilize the LastPass Security Challenge, which identifies the weak and duplicate passwords you should focus on changing. LastPass has a clean and easy to navigate site, which creates a space where you can readily retrieve passwords, via copy and paste. This manager is accessible via smartphone, computer, or cloud to ensure that you always have access to login information. 

Dashlane: Dashlane has a Security Dashboard built-in, similar to LastPass, and provides users with additional help to figure out the strength or weakness of their passwords already in place. Their membership offers the option to sync your dashlane data to every device automatically and autofill username and passwords for every account. Dashlane provides instant security alerts to your phone or computer whenever sites are breached, and its mobile app is handy for smartphones and tablets.

Bitwarden: Bitwarden is known to be a free and open-source password manager that stores data via encryption to the app. It offers cloud syncing for accessibility on any handheld device, as well as accessibility for MacOS, Windows, and Linux desktops. Bitwarden’s site states that data is encrypted through “salted hashing,” a process by which data is secured at a random value, ensuring that not even the Bitwarden team has access to your sensitive information. 

A secure password manager means accessing your account details across all devices, syncing your data, and attaining peace of mind that your information is secure. nSide, Inc. is passionate about taking the next step for safety among schools and personnel. Our team leverages a password management system as a means to our own data security, and we are strong advocates for creating habits that support prevention before recovery. As we continue to discuss tools that safeguard your information, our hope is that you will no longer need to worry about losing or recovering data. Above all, nSide wants to provide you with effective plans to promote a balanced and well prepared environment. 

As always, if you have any questions about password management or improving cybersecurity, our team is here to help!You can reach the nSide help team via live chat or by email at help@nside.io.

February 21, 2020
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