Safety Tips for Schools

School administrators have a responsibility not only to provide students with a quality education, but also a safe environment in which to earn it. No matter what grade level, students can’t concentrate on their studies if they don’t feel safe. That makes school safety and security a high priority from preschool all the way up through the halls of higher education. Having an established protocol for protecting children, faculty, staff and visitors from the widest array of threats is essential for creating a school community in which everyone feels secure and free to focus.

A school safety plan has to take into account a number of potential threats, from natural disasters to armed intruders. No one wants to think about what could happen, but it’s necessary to be prepared for the worst-case scenario and prevent it from happening. It’s for these reasons that schools should develop a comprehensive safety plan that includes emergency preparedness, protecting students’ well-being and implementing robust physical security measures.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

When a fire, earthquake or other natural disaster strikes, every second counts. This is why it’s crucial for schools to have a codified plan for getting students to safety the moment an emergency occurs.

The key is to have a detailed protocol and practicing it so that faculty, staff and students know what to expect. This prevents confusion that can impede escape efforts. For example, every teacher and staff member should know his or her responsibilities for evacuating students in an orderly fashion in the event of a fire. If the school is threatened by a tornado or earthquake, having students retreat into a hallway, basement or other designated safe zone may be determined to be the best strategy.

No matter what actions need to be taken, it is essential for those plans to be written down and shared with all staff. Additionally, administrators must schedule drills not only for students and faculty to practice the plan, but also to help the school evaluate whether the plan will be as effective as possible in a real-life situation.

Crisis Management and School Lockdown Procedures

Unfortunately, natural disasters aren’t the only type of threat schools face in the modern world. Shootings on school campuses are increasingly common, and administrators need to factor this into their safety plans and strategies. Many students today report that fears about violence on campus have a significant impact on their well-being, with anxiety and stress making it difficult for them to devote the attention needed for their schoolwork.

Establishing strong lockdown procedures is a core component of keeping students safe and providing them with peace of mind throughout the day. Like preparing for fires and tornadoes, lockdown protocols need to be drilled on a regular basis to ensure plans can be enacted as quickly as possible to prevent tragedy. These should include securing classrooms with locked doors and designating fortified safe areas for students to hide until such time as the threat has been neutralized. Another core element of lockdown procedures should be providing parents and families with updates on the situation through official emergency communication channels.

Implementing Physical Security Measures

Preparing those inside the building for an emergency is only part of an effective safety plan. The school buildings themselves should be enhanced with physical security measures that help protect students and faculty while also limiting the potential for attackers to do harm.

For example, entranceways and vestibules should feature secure areas where visitors must be screened by a school resource officer before they are allowed access to the main building. These areas should be fortified with ballistic glass as well as bullet-resistant wall panels to ensure any attempted attack remains isolated in these areas for as long as possible.

Classrooms also should feature bullet-resistant doors and windows to prevent anyone outside the room from harming those inside. Ballistic wall panels should be installed in areas where they can create safe areas students and staff can retreat to in the event of an armed intruder. These bullet-resistant products are designed and engineered to absorb the impact of bullets and stop several shots, giving those behind them precious time to get to safety as law enforcement responds.

U.S. Bullet Proofing is Committed to Safe School Properties

As one of the leaders in the ballistic protection industry, U.S. Bullet Proofing supplies a wide range of products designed to help make schools safer and more secure. Our in-house engineering capabilities and extensive expertise make it possible for us to provide the doors, windows and wall panels needed to secure school buildings as well as other high-risk properties including banks, embassies and government offices.

We’re proud to be a partner of the Partner Alliance for Safer Schools (PASS). This highly regarded organization provides school administrators and communities with valuable insights into safeguarding school facilities and providing the safest possible environments for learning. To learn more about our partnership with PASS, click here to read the announcement.

If you want to learn more about our full range of ballistic protection and how it can help create stronger school security, reach out and speak with one of our experts today.