Are You Up to Date on Your Required Drills? October Is the Final Month for Tornado Drills

As we move into October, it’s a good time for licensed childcare providers to double‑check their emergency drill schedules. Colorado’s child care regulations require a consistent pattern of fire, tornado, and emergency drills throughout the year—and October marks the final month for required tornado drills. 🌪️🌪️🌪️

• Many programs stay on top of these requirements, but fall is busy, and it’s easy for a drill or two to slip through the cracks. Here’s a quick refresher to help you stay compliant and prepared.

• Monthly, Quarterly, and Seasonal Drill Requirements

Colorado’s rule 8 CCR 1402‑1, Section 2.138 outlines exactly what programs must complete:

• Fire Drills — Monthly 🔥🔥🔥

Fire drills must be conducted every month, following local fire department procedures. These drills help ensure staff and children know how to evacuate quickly and safely.

• Tornado Drills — Monthly (March through October) 🌪️🌪️🌪️

Tornado drills are required monthly from March to October. That means October is the last month to complete your final tornado drill for the year.

• Emergency, Lockdown, and Active Shooter Drills — Quarterly 🔒🔒🔒

These drills must occur at least quarterly, and often enough that all staff and children are familiar with the procedures. Consistency helps ensure everyone knows what to do in high‑stress situations.

• Don’t Forget Your Documentation ✔️✔️✔️

Programs must maintain a 12‑month record of all drills, including:

• Date and time 📅📅📅

• Number of adults and children participating 🔢🔢🔢

• Time taken to evacuate (for drills requiring evacuation) ⌛⌛⌛

Accurate documentation not only supports compliance—it also helps you track patterns, identify gaps, and strengthen your emergency preparedness.

• Why Staying Consistent Matters

Emergency drills are more than a licensing requirement. They build confidence, reduce panic, and help staff respond with clarity during real emergencies. When drills become routine, children and adults know what to expect, and programs operate more safely and predictably.

October is a great moment to pause, review your drill log, and make sure everything is up to date before the winter season begins.

Have a great week!