Many might be wondering if the school they attend is safe enough for them. Others may worry more about the school their child or younger siblings attend.

Are schools even safe? There is really no way of saying if a school is safe enough. There are certain procedures schools take when the safety of a student is in danger.

Lockdown is one of the most common methods used by schools to protect students and staff from harm.

If any person steps onto the school grounds with intentions to hurt the students, or even if any danger is near a school, the school will go into a lockdown and students will duck under the desk, the lights will be turned off and the doors will be locked.

During a lockdown, the teachers aren’t to open the door to anyone.

While lockdowns can help to keep students from danger, do they really make schools safer?

Training the staff and performing drills just in case of an emergency can make a difference if emergencies were to happen.

Training the parents with these drills can also be a helpful way to increase school safety. Many parents volunteer at schools and they need to know what to do in cases like these.

The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting is still in many of our minds. On Dec. 14, 2012, 20 children’s and six adults’ lives were taken in a place were we would think it is safe.

But if staff and faculty were not trained on emergency procedures, maybe more deaths could have occured.

Not only do schools get trained on lockdowns, but they also get trained on fire drills.

If any fire were to occur students are to exit as far off from campus buildings.

The question many may continue to ask is, should we feel safe when going to school?

School should be a place where students can feel safe, but unfortunately, tragedies can happen and we need to be prepared.

The only way to do so is through training and schools taking caution with outsiders.

One way schools can make it safer for the students is to have gates around the school which remain closed when school is in session.

With this system, anyone stepping into campuses school get an office pass.

No one can guarantee that a school is safe enough.

We just have to trust the system that is intended to keep danger from our loved ones and hope students will always feel safe.