PAGE 1 — ABOUT THIS POSTER SET

Simple visual reminders for safer classrooms

A safe school environment is supported by clear expectations, good supervision, established procedures, and everyday habits.

This poster set provides simple visual reminders that can be displayed around classrooms and school environments. The messages are designed for primary and secondary educational settings and can be understood by a broad age range.

How to use the posters

Schools and educators can:

Display individual posters where the message is relevant.
Use one poster as a brief safety reminder at the beginning of the week.
Refer to the posters during everyday classroom routines.
Use the messages as discussion starters.
Connect the posters with existing school safety procedures and expectations.
Replace or update posters when school rules or procedures change.

Where posters may be displayed

Depending on the school’s layout and requirements, posters may be useful in:

Classrooms
Corridors
Activity areas
Staff-visible areas
Entry and exit areas where appropriate

Schools should choose locations that do not obstruct routes, signs, equipment, accessibility features, or other required safety information.

A reminder for adults

Posters are reminders, not substitutes for:

Risk assessment
School policies
Appropriate supervision
Emergency plans
Staff training
Applicable local requirements

Safety procedures can vary between schools, buildings, regions, and countries. Adapt the messages to the school’s local environment and rules.

For emergencies, follow your school’s established emergency procedures and applicable local requirements.

NOTICE → THINK → ACT SAFELY → ASK FOR HELP

A simple approach for everyday school safety:

NOTICE
Pay attention to what is around you.

THINK
Consider what could help keep people safe.

ACT SAFELY
Follow school rules and established procedures.

ASK FOR HELP
If something is unsafe, unclear, or beyond your role, tell a responsible adult.

PAGE 2 — POSTER 1

KEEP WALKWAYS CLEAR

Clear paths help everyone move safely.

Remember:

BAGS
Keep bags where your school expects them to be.

BOOKS
Keep books and learning materials in their proper place.

CABLES
Keep cables arranged according to school procedures and away from walkways.

CHAIRS
Keep chairs positioned safely and out of movement paths.

OTHER OBJECTS
Keep objects out of places where people need to walk.

See something unsafe?

Don’t take unnecessary risks.
Tell a responsible adult.

SAFETY STARTS WITH NOTICE.

PAGE 3 — POSTER 2

USE CLASSROOM EQUIPMENT SAFELY

Use equipment for its intended purpose.

Remember:

FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
Listen to teacher and staff instructions.

USE IT AS INTENDED
Use furniture, tools, and classroom equipment only for their intended purpose.

DON’T MISUSE EQUIPMENT
Do not use furniture or equipment in ways it was not designed for.

REPORT DAMAGE
Tell a responsible adult if equipment appears damaged or unsafe.

ASK WHEN UNSURE
If you are not sure how something should be used, ask an adult.

A simple rule:

If you’re unsure, stop and ask.

PAGE 4 — POSTER 3

WALK, DON’T RUN

Move calmly indoors.

Remember:

WALK
Walk in classrooms and corridors.

LOOK AHEAD
Watch where you are going.

TAKE CARE AROUND CORNERS
Slow down and stay aware where you cannot see clearly.

WATCH CHANGES IN LEVEL
Take care around steps and other changes in floor level.

FOLLOW SCHOOL RULES
Use the movement rules established by your school.

Calm movement helps everyone.

WALK • LOOK • FOLLOW THE RULES

PAGE 5 — POSTER 4

HANDS & PERSONAL SPACE

Respect people and personal space.

Remember:

KEEP HANDS TO YOURSELF
Give other people the space they need.

RESPECT PERSONAL SPACE
Be aware of how close you are to others.

BE RESPECTFUL
Use calm and respectful behaviour.

SPEAK UP
If something is bothering you, tell a responsible adult.

Everyone deserves to feel respected.

RESPECT • SPACE • PEOPLE

PAGE 6 — POSTER 5

SPEAK UP & ASK FOR HELP

If something feels wrong or unsafe, tell a responsible adult.

Remember:

SPEAK UP
Don’t keep an important safety concern to yourself.

TELL A TEACHER
A teacher or another responsible adult can help.

ASK WHEN UNSURE
You do not need to know the answer on your own.

KEEP ASKING
If the first person cannot help, tell another responsible adult.

Asking for help is a safe choice.

NOTICE • THINK • ASK FOR HELP

PAGE 7 — POSTER 6

EMERGENCY: STAY CALM & FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS

Stay calm. Listen. Follow the school’s emergency instructions.

Remember:

LISTEN
Pay attention to responsible adults and official instructions.

FOLLOW PROCEDURES
Follow your school’s established emergency procedures.

STAY WITH YOUR CLASS OR GROUP
Remain with your class or group as directed.

MOVE AS INSTRUCTED
Go where responsible adults tell you to go.

LEAVE BELONGINGS
Do not return for bags, books, phones, or other belongings.

Remember:

Your school’s emergency procedures come first.

Follow your school’s established emergency procedures and applicable local requirements.

PAGE 8 — POSTER 7

REPORT HAZARDS

See something unsafe? Tell an adult.

Look out for:

SPILLS
A spill can create a slip hazard.

DAMAGED FURNITURE
Tell an adult if furniture appears damaged or unsafe.

BROKEN EQUIPMENT
Report equipment that appears damaged.

BLOCKED ROUTES
Tell an adult if a normal route is blocked or difficult to use.

UNUSUAL OR UNSAFE CONDITIONS
If something does not seem safe, ask for help.

Important:

REPORT — DON’T REPAIR

Do not try to fix, move, clean, inspect, or handle a significant hazard yourself.

See something unsafe?

Stay safe. Tell a responsible adult.

PAGE 9 — POSTER 8

READY TO LEARN, READY TO BE SAFE

LOOK → THINK → ACT SAFELY → ASK FOR HELP

LOOK

Notice what is around you.

THINK

Consider the safe choice.

ACT SAFELY

Follow school rules and use equipment correctly.

ASK FOR HELP

Tell a responsible adult when something is unsafe or unclear.

Everyday reminders:

Follow school rules.
Keep spaces tidy.
Respect other people.
Use equipment correctly.
Speak up when something is unsafe.
Ask a responsible adult for help.

LOOK → THINK → ACT SAFELY → ASK FOR HELP

Safe habits help everyone learn.

PAGE 10 — TEACHER IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE

USING THE POSTER SET

These posters work best as brief, repeated reminders within the school’s existing safety culture.

Where to display posters

Choose locations that suit the message and the school’s environment, such as:

Classrooms
Corridors
Activity areas
Staff-visible areas
Entry or exit areas where appropriate

Before displaying a poster, check that it does not obstruct required signs, routes, equipment, accessibility features, or other safety information.

Follow applicable school, building, accessibility, fire-safety, and local requirements.

How to use the posters

One message at a time

Teachers can introduce one poster at the beginning of a week and briefly revisit it during relevant routines.

Use posters as discussion starters

Ask simple questions such as:

What does this message mean in our classroom?
Where might we use this rule?
What should we do if we are unsure?
Who can we ask for help?

Connect reminders to school procedures

Posters should reinforce—not replace—the school’s established rules and procedures.

For example, the emergency poster should be connected to the school’s current emergency arrangements rather than used as a stand-alone emergency plan.

Keep messages current

Review displayed posters when:

School procedures change.
Classroom layouts change.
Equipment or activities change.
Local requirements change.
A safety message is no longer relevant to a particular location.

The key principle