These 5 ways to increase safety at your school are very timely after yet another school shooting. As staff and students who spend the majority of their week in a school building now is the time to increase school safety. Educators and the children we place in their care deserve to learn and grow without fear.
One of the most joyful sounds is the squeals and shrieks of happiness as children run and play on a school playground. It reminds us of those carefree days. It is our job to keep those shrieks joyful and carefree. Here are 5 ways to increase safety at your school.
Have a safety plan to increase safety at your school
Failing to plan is planning to fail. Having a plan is crucial. In the world we live in today it would be complete negligence to not have a safety plan at school. A plan is a necessity and most schools do have some level of “plan” in the case of an emergency. A few posters on the wall and some locked doors is not enough.
Awareness of ALL possible dangers/risks
Some say ignorance is bliss. Our kids’ safety is no place for ignorance. Knowing every possible risk is the best way to prevent them. Every location will have its own unique risks. There are risks in certain areas of the country that do not exist elsewhere.
Winter weather, hurricanes and earthquakes are more likely to happen in some regions and not others. Buildings in cities versus a rural setting have risks directly associated with their location. It is important that the safety plans are not one fits all but are reflective of individual needs.
Communication increases school safety
Communication is key in increasing safety at your school. Not only is quick accurate communication crucial to resolve any crisis, it also is required to prevent them from happening. Communication comes into play both in the plan and the execution of a safety plan. Proper teaching and training requires good communication. When everyone understands the protocol and is trained appropriately the chance of a successful outcome increases.
In addition, quick and accurate communication is what saves peoples lives. First responders can do their job when they receive information in real time. This allows faster response as well as accurate information to make crucial decisions. Untimely or wrong communication can turn an emergency into a tragedy.
Passion to execute
You can teach and train people with the best protocols. However, if they are not invested in the safety of the school it will not come to fruition. Teachers, parents, students must all be invested in keeping their environment safe. Everyone must take a personal responsibility in doing their part. When one piece of the puzzle is missing it is incomplete. One unlocked door can have catastrophic results. Passion for school safety is the little extra that can make a big difference.
Hire a professional who can do all of the above
Alert Protection Services has a solution for each of these “To Do’s” to increase safety at your school. In depth, custom made safety plans. The experience and knowledge to know what stones to turn over and where risks lie.
They have top of the line emergency notifications systems. With a system like Alert-com communication is immediate, accurate and life-saving.
Staff at Alert Protection Services have a special place in their heart for school safety. Their passion to keep teachers and students safe partners with yours. Together increasing safety at school is possible.
