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If you get a hasp, look for one that will let you remove the bolt and keep it in your drawer so that only you can use it.

Spray bear repellent comes in normal-size aerosol cans. It's basically a strong OC, I think. You could keep it as a practical joke, or find a paper cover from an innocuous product and glue it over the existing label.

Ammonia in a trigger sray bottle. Call it glass cleaner.

First for the outside doors: Get two 2X4X4 pieces of wood (one for each outside door; yours and your partners’), and fashion a hook, out of strong metal, that would go around the door knob and the wood (depends on if you have push open bars, pull up/down type of handle or a regular turn type of knob would depend on which type of hook you need to fashion), support it with a chair so that it won't fall out of place if you have pull/push/turn type of knobs. You can keep this piece of wood hidden behind a filing cabinet so that no one would know.

Second for the closet doors. It would depend on what type of door you have there on how to defend them. Knocked over filing cabinets work wonders—they’re heavy!

Drill through the door and frame at the top and bottom corners, and stash some 16d nails nearby to drop through the holes, effectively toenailing the door shut. Most people won't notice holes at the top and bottom of the door. Do it for both doors, and when you hear the BG at one, go out the other.

You might want to tie some strong cord around the nails to give you something to grab when you need to pull them out, as well.

Something like the ASP Street Defender OC canister could be taped to the underside or back of a desk drawer, or even dropped into the hollow metal or plastic handle of a cheap broom or feather duster.

Lots of good ideas. A smaller implement that can be used as a stabbing weapon would be a steel barrelled pen. You can find them at an office supply store for $5. By the time that is useful though, you are in pretty close to the assailant.

I don't know if I would mention much to the building mate. Given your description, I have a feeling she might be more of a problem than a help, particularly if your principal is more of a lock down and hide kind of person than a fight back kind of person.

That is one of the perks of being a (Tech Ed) shop teacher.

Nail gun.... Yup

Cordless Drill..... charged

Hammers.... Pick one

Fire extinguishers..... all over

6'3" 210lb 7th grader with gurdge against authority...... Who is next please?

Surounded by concrete filled cinderblock walls.... I feel safe.

If you get in, you might not get out.

Sound of door locking...." now you can't leave"

Saulnier

Wildscar wrote: Also hold a lighter in front of that wasp spray. You then get a good 15ft flame thrower that will act like naplam in away. Just don't hold it too long or the flame goes into the can and blows up.

Don't worry about the blowing up, won't happen. Just don't burn yourself.

Since I'm not much of a woodworking/metalworking girl, a lot of what's suggested, I just don't get.

The wasp spray aided by a lighter could be pulled off. In fact, I just took up a lighter from a kid a few days ago. I'll keep it in my desk & "forget" to turn it in. (I keep all kinds of things in the closet as the present, so keeping wasp spray won't get anyone's attn, as it can be used to kill wasps' nests-- hey, some kids are allergic to these things!)

I love the idea of a fire extinguisher. How much are they? (I would have to buy one, as our plan for a fire is simply get out.)

My room is part cover, part concealment. Two of my walls have windows from about the waist/chest up. I have these windows covered with bulletin board paper, primarily to keep students on task. The walls are made of cinderblock. The door is solid wood. If students were on the floor, it is highly unlikely they would be shot if the room was locked. The BG would have to throw a rock through the window, tear away the paper (in long, wide strips) and then aim. I do, however, have the closet, but that door isn't as solid as the classroom door.

Venus Pax wrote:I love the idea of a fire extinguisher. How much are they? (I would have to buy one, as our plan for a fire is simply get out.)

You don't have a fire extinguisher in the building?

Once more,

If I were to donate one, would you be allowed to keep it in your classroom?

Keep a baseball bat next to your desk.

Keep a (big) pet rock family on your desk.

Toenailling the door is your best bet. Make sure the nails are long enough to pull out and keep a pair of pliers to do this.

Venus Pax wrote:I love the idea of a fire extinguisher. How much are they? (I would have to buy one, as our plan for a fire is simply get out.)

Is that legal? Sounds like a serious fire code violation not to have one at least nearby, if not actually in the classroom.

Getting out and forgetting about the extinguisher is a great plan, until the door is blocked by the fire, or somebody's clothes are on fire.

[quote="Venus Pax"]
I love the idea of a fire extinguisher. How much are they? (I would have to buy one, as our plan for a fire is simply get out.)

That is the plan in most Texas schools. Teachers are not firefighters. We are instructed to get out of the building with all of our students, meet at a designated central place, and do a roll call.

Yes schools in Texas have to have a fire alarm system as well as a various assortment of sprinklers and extinguishers.


My building has been inspected 2 times this year by the fire marshal.

Saulnier

Most fire codes do not specify that they be in the classrooms. Fire codes generally specify a maximum travel distance to a specified size and type of extinguisher. 30-50 feet seems to ring a bell, but each governing body can alter the fire codes to their desires so who knows.

Sure you could purchase one yourself and it would make a fine distraction device. A dry chemical extinguisher will not likely incapacitate, but would distract.

If you don't have a proper weapon and are forced to improvise, remember K.I.S.S. - Keep It Simple, Stupid! Some ideas look good on paper (the aerosol flame thrower) but under stress with speed, distance, and accuracy all being critical - uh uh.

I like the baseball bat idea - it's not a weapon, it's sporting equipment. (No talking or threatening - swing for the body, and keep hitting.)

Take up knitting . . . I've seen some metal knitting needles that would make wicked infighting weapons.

Bicycle chain with a big padlock on the end.

Crowbar or hammer.

Bear spray . . . used by hikers & campers.

TxFire wrote:Most fire codes do not specify that they be in the classrooms. Fire codes generally specify a maximum travel distance to a specified size and type of extinguisher. 30-50 feet seems to ring a bell, but each governing body can alter the fire codes to their desires so who knows.

If it's the same as the OSHA requirement, 30ft for a small extinguisher, 50 for a larger one. (I think small would be 5A or less, but I don't have the chart handy.) IMO, a chat with the local fire marshal is in order; if you express an interest in having one in the classroom, he might be willing to check a little closer at the next inspection and find some condition that would make it mandatory.

If nothing else, it could be a real lifesaver when little Johnny starts playing with a butane lighter in the pocket of his polyester pants.

These are good suggestions... thanks!