7 Best Ideas to Secure a School Properly
As we’ve seen repeatedly, schools are unfortunately vulnerable to attacks. Because of these tragic events, schools now need to take steps to ensure the safety of their students, staff, and visitors. Many strategies can be employed to improve school safety, from implementing secure entry systems to conducting regular safety drills to promoting mental health awareness.
Schools should be a safe place for both students and staff. Unfortunately, the prevalence of school shootings and other violent incidents has made it increasingly challenging to ensure the security of our educational institutions. Securing schools is a complex task that requires a multi-faceted approach. Administrators must continue to evaluate and update security measures as needed, as they must remain vigilant in ensuring the safety of our schools.
Here are seven ideas for securing schools and protecting students and staff.
1. Security Cameras
Security cameras allow administrators to watch what’s happening on school grounds. By installing cameras in critical areas such as entry and exit points, hallways, and parking lots, administrators can monitor the premises and quickly respond to potential threats.
Cameras can also deter potential offenders, as they know they are being watched. If there is an incident, camera footage can identify suspects, provide evidence, and aid investigations. School surveillance offers extra protection and helps create a safer environment for all students, staff, and visitors.
2. AI Security
AI security can help prevent tragedies with minimal disturbance to the students and staff as they go about their day in the school building. These systems are installed at the entry points of the building and automatically identify guns, knives, and other potential threats with greater accuracy than metal detectors. They also remove the need for students and staff to remove personal items or undergo invasive pat-downs.
The latest integrated security solutions can immediately notify security personnel of the location of any detected weapon on a person’s body, allowing them to respond quickly. With AI technology installed at every entrance, schools can protect their campus from potential threats without creating a distressing environment, even during lunch breaks.
3. Security Guards
Security personnel can provide an extra layer of protection for schools. Security guards can be trained to identify and respond to potential threats, monitor the premises, and provide a visible presence that can deter offenders. The presence of security guards can provide a sense of safety and reassurance for students, staff, and visitors.
By having trained security personnel on-site, schools can increase their overall security posture and create a safer environment for everyone.
4. Regular Drills
Regular drills help prepare students and staff for emergencies. This includes drills for fires, earthquakes, and active shooter scenarios. By conducting exercises regularly, everyone can become familiar with the protocols and procedures in place, which can help prevent chaos and confusion in the event of an actual emergency.
Regular drills can also help identify potential safety concerns and allow schools to refine their safety plans.
5. Secure Entry Systems
Installing secure entry systems can significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized access to a school. These systems may include buzz-in mechanisms, key fobs, or ID card scanners, all designed to restrict entry to the building. This access restriction ensures that only authorized individuals can enter the premises and reduces the chance of a person posing a threat from gaining entrance.
Secure entry systems can provide administrators with data on the individuals entering and leaving the building, which can help improve the school’s ability to monitor and track visitors.
6. Secure Classrooms
Classrooms can be vulnerable during an active shooter situation, and securing them is crucial to ensuring the safety of students and teachers. One way to secure a classroom is to install door-locking mechanisms that can be activated inside the room. These mechanisms can include keyless entry systems, electronic locks, or door barricades.
Additionally, reinforced windows, bullet-resistant glass, and window film can provide extra protection against potential threats. Teachers should also be trained to barricade their classrooms and create safe zones in case of an emergency.
7. Mental Health Awareness
Mental health issues are a contributing factor in many school-related incidents. By promoting mental health awareness, schools can help identify and, if necessary, deal with potential problems before they become serious. This can include providing mental health resources, such as counselling and therapy services, and educating students, staff, and parents on the importance of mental health.
By reducing the stigma around mental health, students are more likely to reach out for support. Adequate mental health awareness can help identify potential warning signs of violence or self-harm, allowing schools to intervene early and prevent potential tragedies.