Higher education institutions and K-12 schools need to invest heavily in technologies that ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and parents. Due to the recent increase in crimes, everyone feels an urgency to implement systems that fortify their on-campus security. After all, students and everyone else need a conducive learning atmosphere equipped with better emergency response and risk prevention. When discussing such systems, one may instantly consider choices like lighting, integrated alert systems, etc. Even gun detection devices are getting prominent in educational institutions. Campuses install metal detectors at different locations to detect threatening objects, such as vape pens, guns, and knives. The technology empowered with cameras helps monitor suspicious activities in and around the school premises.
When you install the right tools with a unified approach through customization, you mitigate significant risks and protect everyone’s lives. To be precise, real-time tracking and warning systems allow officials to react to a specific situation before it gets worse. So, if you also want to safeguard your students and staff, use video surveillance, automated alerting, wireless sensors, and more.
Establishing safety and security methods
How do you know what safety tools you should include in your educational institution? One must account for the school’s location and infrastructure to enhance security measures and protocols. It helps them identify what they need to update or upgrade. Suppose your school needs a mass communication alert system. Or, there is a lack of panic buttons that help a person in need to call for assistance during an approaching danger. You can incorporate them. Places like New York, Florida, and New Jersey already mandated public schools to integrate panic systems across all parts of the facilities so that law enforcement departments can get timely alerts about any life-threatening event silently.
Requiring intercoms and gun detection
Although every security element has a purpose, gun detection, and intercom devices are highly recommendable. When you explore a reliable source of intercoms for schools, you realize how powerful your place’s safety and security system can be. The intercom helps verify visitors and gives entry only to the relevant people. If you pick the right solution, you can make it part of audio panels, POE switches, and concierge centers for seamless communication. You can easily communicate with any school section with a suitable device for complete access control. It also enables entry point monitoring, call management, and campus entry.
As mentioned earlier, even gunshot detection and response systems have become essential security components. The automated solution informs the first responders immediately. If someone fires, the system triggers responses through wireless sensors to analyze the criminal’s position, weapon, and others. The sensors can put cameras into action to glimpse the school building’s ground and floors. The messages go directly to the law enforcement departments to speed up the proper response.
Through sensors, one can also trigger mass communication notifications to guide students and staff about actions through texts and emails. The onsite cameras can give a sneak peek into whatever is going on on the premises. On the other hand, parents also get alerts about the situation. Sensors can activate door lock or unlock commands when integrated into access control measures as an extra feature.
Considering some critical insights about safety and security systems at education facilities
It’s impractical to expect any security program to be hundred percent accurate because specific laws bar you from using a few things. However, it doesn’t stop you from taking efficient measures to reduce or avert the likelihood of something terrible happening. So, when considering any safety measure, such as intercom, gun detection, or others, you must look at the entire scenario before actioning anything. For instance, one of the easiest things to implement is better access control by using one entry point for all visitors. However, keep in mind there should be enough scope for fire and law enforcement to enter the campus during an emergency. For instance, you can give them access cards or something to reach the spot quickly.
Another helpful addition is the classroom door locks one can lock from inside. However, these should comply with fire protection and disabilities laws. Window films in proper locations are also a great pick. However, these must not interfere with the emergency evacuation process. Make sure all the staff, including faculty and clinicians apart from students, know the emergency response systems to act appropriately when something unpleasant strikes. Panic buttons and visitor management systems are also important, as discussed earlier.
Besides technological support, you also need to bolster your school’s security by ensuring only the right people join your team: scan vendors, volunteers, staff, and teachers for their backgrounds. Include counselors, social workers, and psychologists to address any concerning behavior of a person before it becomes violent. Maintain relationships with everyone, including clinicians, nurses, staff members, and students, so they report anything unusual without hesitation. Also, take care of temperature control on the campus by upgrading and maintaining proper HVAC systems.
The world has left behind traditional paper log systems that would record visitor details to track their movement. Of course, it was an inexpensive method. During the old days, it may have been one of the essential tools. Today, threats have multiplied in intensity and occurrence. Simple measures like this may prove ineffective in emergency prevention. Upgrade your school’s safety with modern technological solutions. The latest technologies cover widespread areas that reduce the administrators’ burden while triggering situation-based responses for efficient handling. These come at a price, but they are worth every bit. After all, students’ safety should be your priority. At the same time, anyone working in your institution is your responsibility.
When you install the correct systems and procedures in your place, you win their confidence by default. They would want to be a part of your environment because your measures reflect your care for them. Just buy the products from reputed platforms or brands. At the same time, recruit people carefully. Your risk management strategy should be well-rounded to thwart any malicious intent.
