8 Steps to Enhance School Safety and Security

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In today’s world, school safety has become more important than ever. Schools are looking for the best ways to protect students, teachers, and staff, ensuring that everyone can focus on learning and teaching without worry.

Creating a safe school environment isn’t just about having security guards or locking the doors–it’s about implementing thoughtful, layered measures that make everyone feel secure. Viking Electronics offers some great tools for helping schools achieve this level of safety, from communication systems to emergency devices. Here, we’ll go through steps that schools can take to create a safer, more secure campus environment with a practical and manageable approach.

Securing Entrances with Advanced Access Control

One of the most critical steps in enhancing school safety is securing main entrances and exits. By reinforcing doors and employing solid, high-quality locks, schools make it harder for unauthorized individuals to gain entry. However, physical barriers alone aren’t enough. An increasing number of schools are adopting high-tech solutions, such as access control systems that monitor and log entry points. These systems can allow administrators to track who enters and exits at specific times, adding another layer of accountability.

Moreover, implementing access control with secure ID cards or fobs at strategic entry points allows schools to limit access based on role and responsibility. Viking Electronics offers solutions that support these technologies, allowing schools to manage access effectively. When only a few designated entrances are operational, it becomes easier for staff to supervise these points. This streamlined approach reduces vulnerabilities and can significantly contribute to maintaining a secure campus environment.

Installing Reliable Door Entry Systems

Door entry systems act as gatekeepers to control visitor access. Many schools now place entry systems at main gates, reception areas, and secondary access points, which enables staff to verify identities and intentions before granting access. Viking’s door entry systems are a fantastic option, featuring vandal-resistant, hands-free designs, perfect for high-traffic and high-security areas. These systems also integrate well with IP-based networks, allowing staff to monitor and manage access from remote locations if necessary.

By asking visitors for identification and the purpose of their visit, school staff can quickly gauge if a visitor poses a potential security threat. Staff also benefit from the convenience of remote access control, where doors can be unlocked from security stations or even from smartphones in some cases. This type of access control makes it possible for schools to uphold security without physically positioning personnel at every entry point, leading to both time savings and enhanced campus safety.

Proximity ID Cards and Key Fob Systems for Easy Access Control

Proximity ID cards and key fobs have become popular tools in school security due to their flexibility and ease of use. Viking systems, which are compatible with proximity cards and key fobs, provide a straightforward way to control and customize access throughout the campus. These devices offer schools a reliable method for managing access privileges, allowing administrators to restrict access to sensitive areas, like administrative offices, laboratories, and storage rooms.

Schools can configure proximity cards to restrict student access while granting more extensive access rights to teachers and staff. If a card or fob is misplaced, it can be deactivated immediately, preventing unauthorized access. This feature is a tremendous advantage over traditional keys, which would require rekeying locks. Proximity cards also streamline attendance tracking, as swiping or tapping the card at entry points creates an automatic log of arrivals and departures, which is useful not only for security but also for attendance records.

Emergency Phones for Immediate Communication

Emergency phones are an indispensable component of any school’s safety system. They provide an instant connection to security personnel or external emergency services. Viking Electronics offers durable emergency phones suitable for high-stress environments and various campus locations, such as gyms, restrooms, and parking areas. These phones are designed for reliability and ease of use in emergencies, ensuring that help is available at the touch of a button.

Viking’s emergency phones include features like continuous monitoring, which enables security personnel to listen to the caller’s surroundings, even if the caller is unable to speak. This feature can be vital when assessing potentially dangerous situations. Additionally, because these phones can withstand rough handling and environmental factors, they remain operational even under challenging conditions, which is essential for ensuring ongoing campus security.

Panic Buttons for Quick Emergency Response

Panic buttons add another level of protection, providing a discreet and immediate way for staff to signal for help. These buttons, which can be placed under desks or near exits, allow staff to alert security or emergency responders with a simple press. Viking’s panic buttons offer real-time monitoring, letting security personnel respond to emergencies without alarming students or escalating the situation unnecessarily.

Panic buttons can be programmed to trigger different responses depending on the situation. For example, they might silently notify security for non-emergent issues or activate visual and audible alarms for severe incidents. This versatility allows schools to manage responses effectively and adapt to a variety of scenarios, from medical emergencies to potential intruder situations.

Regular Training and Drills to Prepare Staff and Students

Security protocols are only as effective as the people implementing them. Regular training sessions and emergency drills are essential for familiarizing staff and students with proper procedures. Lockdown, evacuation, and fire drills are common practices, but schools should also incorporate training on using security systems, such as emergency phones, panic buttons, and mass notification systems. By practicing these protocols, schools can ensure that everyone knows their role and can respond promptly and calmly under pressure.

Having visual instructions posted around the school reinforces this training and helps remind everyone of their responsibilities during an emergency. Additionally, training should be customized for different groups. For instance, staff members may need in-depth training on security equipment operation, while students can benefit from simplified instructions on responding to alarms or following evacuation routes.

Mass Notification Systems for Campus-Wide Alerts

In times of crisis, clear communication is critical. Mass notification systems enable schools to quickly inform students and staff of important updates, from weather warnings to security threats. Viking Electronics provides mass notification solutions capable of broadcasting tones, messages, and live announcements. These systems ensure that everyone receives the same information simultaneously, which is crucial during emergencies that demand immediate action.

A mass notification system can also be integrated with access controls for an automated alert system. For example, if an unauthorized entry occurs, the system could send an automatic notification to security personnel and trigger a lockdown. These systems help create a unified, responsive environment, where the entire campus receives clear, consistent instructions, helping to minimize panic and streamline emergency responses.

Conducting Routine Security Assessments

Routine security assessments are vital to identifying potential weaknesses in school safety protocols. Schools should conduct these evaluations annually or whenever significant changes, such as new construction, renovations, or updated safety regulations, occur. By regularly assessing their security systems, schools can identify areas for improvement, like upgrading old equipment, enhancing access controls, or ensuring compliance with new laws such as Alyssa’s Law, which mandates panic alarms in schools.

Staying updated on federal, state, and local safety laws allows schools to make necessary adjustments proactively. These assessments can involve consultations with security professionals, who can offer insights and recommend technologies to meet new safety standards. A proactive approach to security ensures that schools are ready to adapt to evolving safety needs and provides continuous protection for students and staff.

In short, school safety is best achieved through a multi-layered approach. Implementing diverse security measures such as securing entrances, deploying emergency communication devices, and conducting regular training – builds a resilient environment that can withstand a range of potential threats. Schools that implement these comprehensive safety measures are better equipped to handle emergencies and build an environment of safety and trust.

Viking Electronics can help schools achieve this goal. With their range of products, from access control to emergency communication systems, Viking offers schools the tools they need to create a safer learning environment. These systems not only provide a sense of security but also build a supportive community where students, teachers, and staff can focus on learning, teaching, and growing without unnecessary concerns about safety.

By implementing these steps–securing entrances, utilizing entry systems, managing access with ID cards, placing emergency phones, installing panic buttons, training staff and students, deploying mass notification systems, and conducting regular security assessments–schools can create a safer, more connected campus environment. Safety is an investment that goes beyond protecting physical spaces; it builds trust, supports student development, and enables schools to fulfill their mission of education in a safe and nurturing environment.

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About the Author
Allison Trapani is working as a Marketing Design Coordinator at Viking Electronics, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of over 500 security and communication products.