To ensure safe evacuation during an earthquake or other emergency, students review the evacuation routes during regularly scheduled emergency drills. Cited as desirable in the Guidelines for the Course of Study, such drills are held at least once a year in many elementary and junior high schools. Elementary students often have a protective hood made of heavy quilted material (bosai zukin) either hanging at the side of their desks or used as a seat cushion. Putting these hoods over their heads in an emergency affords protection against falling objects, especially during an earthquake.