Safety Precautions at Home and School

1. Safety at Home

Coming home after a crisis is often emotional for everyone. Your youth may feel embarrassed, tired, or scared. You might feel protective or anxious. Together, you can create a space that feels calm and secure. 

Make the home environment safe:

Remove or lock up anything that could be used in a suicide attempt, including:

• Firearms and ammunition (store separately or remove from the home entirely).
• Prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, alcohol, and recreational drugs.
• Sharp objects (razors, knives, box cutters).
• Ropes, cords, belts, or anything that could cause harm.
• Chemicals or poisons (bleach, gasoline, cleaners).

Before you leave the hospital, ask if they can help you secure a lock box for your home or check with your local law enforcement to see how you can get one.

Double-checking hiding places. Assume your youth knows where keys or combinations are kept. 

Store car keys securely if driving or leaving home could be unsafe. 

Limit access to online content that promotes self-harm or substance use. 

Create safety routines:

• Keep a copy of the safety plan visible and talk about it often.
• Revisit the plan after stressful events or changes in routine.
• Check in daily and listen without judgment.
• Schedule and attend follow-up appointments. 
• If substance use is a concern, keep naloxone in the home for opioid overdoses on drugs such as fentanyl, heroin, OxyContin. 
• Naloxone is available at most Oregon pharmacies without a prescription.
• Learn to use naloxone and teach others in the household. 

Know when to call for help:

• If your child talks about wanting to die, seems unable to stay safe, or you feel unsure of what to do, call or text 988 right away.
• If there is an immediate danger, dial 911 and tell responders it is a mental-health emergency. 

2. Safety at School

Returning to school after a crisis can be stressful. Working with school staff to create a support plan helps your youth feel understood and safe.

Communicate with the school:

• Let the school counselor or nurse know your youth is returning after a mental-health event.
• Decide together who will know about the situation—such as teachers, administrators, or coaches—and what they need to know.
• Provide copies of the safety plan only to staff directly involved in your youth’s support. 
• The plan should not be placed in the student’s main record to protect privacy.

Your child’s privacy rights (FERPA):

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects student information in all federally funded schools.

Schools must have written consent to share educational or mental-health information except when:

• There is an emergency that threatens health or safety.
• A school staff member needs this information to help your child learn or stay safe.
• The student is transferring to another school. 

Possible school supports:

Each school is different, but options may include:

• Quiet or “cool-down” space when overwhelmed.
• Permission to use calming tools like music, headphones, or sensory items.
• Modified schedule or workload.
• Access to a counselor, social worker, or peer mentor.  

Tips for families:

• Discuss all changes with your youth before they’re shared with the school. 
• Keep open communication between your youth, teachers, and counselor.
• Encourage your youth to check in when they feel stressed instead of leaving class without notice.
• Keep your phone handy so you can respond quickly if the school calls. 

3. Why This Matters

Working together at home, at school, and with doctors or counselors helps keep your child safe and builds trust. When your child knows the adults are working together, they feel more safe and supported.

Reach Out Oregon Parent Warmline: 1-833-732-2467 | www.reachoutoregon.org

Oregon Family Support Network (OFSN) Offices: 503-363-8068 | www.ofsn.org

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (24/7, free and confidential)