6 Essential Tips to Improve Your School’s Physical Security
School safety has become a key issue over the past few years. Breaches in school security put the lives of administrators, teachers, and students at risk. And when they’re not managed properly, they can also lead to lawsuits. With all this in mind, you should always be looking for ways to make your school more secure. Here are some quick tips to improve your school’s physical security.
Conduct a Security Audit
When you are looking to implement an in-depth security system, first create a security plan that contains a comprehensive overview of the vulnerabilities on your campus. Here are some considerations to look into:
- Determine potential threats that are related to health risks, environmental hazards, and weather-related incidents.
- Document local fire codes, building regulations, and health ordinances.
- Review the building layout and flag vulnerabilities, especially in regards to access.
- Determine whether existing policies and systems work as expected.
Install Security Systems
Nearly 98% of schools rely on security technologies to keep their premises safe. A reliable security system should be a key safety factor for schools and should include things such as mechanical security hardware, panic buttons, intrusion alerts.
Configure Surveillance Cameras
Install surveillance cameras to enhance your school’s safety. Surveillance cameras provide you with the opportunity to monitor visitors, students, and staff as they enter or exit the building and walk the halls. Also, keep in mind that merely the presence of video cameras can deter dangerous behavior.
Tighten Building and Campus Security
Bring professionals on board to detect vulnerable areas on your campus. The schoolyard can be surrounded by fences made of tubular steel or welded wire. These barriers are hard to breach, including cutting them and climbing them, especially when compared to traditional chain link fencing.
Have adults stationed in hallways, and near lunchrooms, bathrooms, stairwells, and other key areas as an authoritative presence.
Create Drill Procedures
To make sure your students remain safe, establish fire drill and disaster procedures. You can use designated alarm sounds to alert students that there is a fire. Teachers should be provided with an evacuation map, so they know the right exit route to use with their students.
On a similar note, natural disasters can occur at any time. Build a procedure to make sure that the school is informed on what to do in the event of a disaster. Appoint a person for this purpose, and have them monitor weather conditions.
Check Security Equipment
Regularly check that your existing security system is working as intended. For example:
- Verify all alarm sensors, card readers, and cameras are operational.
- Check video surveillance footage to make sure it is clear. Clean the lenses on outside security cameras to prevent clouded or distorted images.
- Test communications systems like intercoms.
If you are looking to improve your school’s physical security, or audit the current security system, get in contact with Americom today! Our team of experienced security professionals can show you how Americom has been making schools safer by helping install state of the art security systems
