From parents and children to administrators and teachers, school safety is a topic on everyone’s mind. With the rise in incidents over the last few years, developing robust school security measures is not something that can be overlooked. To help school leadership better understand how to improve safety within the classroom and across campus, here are 10 actionable tips that can strengthen security procedures and keep kids safe.Firstly, to create an understanding among all stakeholders, including students and parents, on the need for co-creating a safe and secure school environment for the holistic development of children.Here 7 Tips for Improving School Safety and Security.
Installing or updating security cameras
Be active in trying to improve school safety and security. One of the most effective ways to have safer schools is by installing or upgrading existing security cameras. With today’s security cameras, identifying burglars is quicker and simpler because to their higher resolution and cloud storage capabilities. By simply posting signs to raise awareness, this kind of protection can deter attacks, suspicious activities, and events such as vandalism.
Based on the results of most surveys, teachers and students feel safer in schools with security cameras. It deters students from committing crimes or causing harm on campus.
The capability of readily sharing footage with emergency responders is an essential feature to consider before making a purchase of a security camera. When aid can reach before a tragedy or crime may continue, the likelihood of it happening increases.
Installing or updating an access control system
Access control systems are essential to school grounds, especially with recent school shootings, and also prevent kids from leaving without authorization. Previewing who will depart and who will enter the school district is one option. Another is to enable monitoring of the areas around entrances. By monitoring access timings and deterring any intruders at the perimeter, it also secures the school’s property. Apart from monitoring the individuals entering educational buildings, it is crucial to establish a vestibule area where unidentified visitors can be checked in with main office staff before being allowed entry. 7 Tips for Improving School Safety and Security Additionally, having a buzzer or camera in addition to security systems is imperative as it allows for the verification of any new visitors entering the campus.
Hire a School Resource Officer
Hiring a school resource officer is a viable option for updating your school’s security. They develop security and access control plans and train faculty on proper security procedures and counseling services. Having a specialist with expertise in student safety will help your school system gradually increase security. Students will be assisted in overcoming their emotional challenges and mental disease by hiring a competent consultant for mental health difficulties. For a positive learning environment, the school should offer mental health and counseling services. School resource officers’ expertise in safeguarding and enhancing an educational setting contributes to an increase in school security. Additionally, by offering academic performance reviews, social services, legal aid, mentoring sessions, and school community services, these officers encourage open doors among the faculty and students.
Employee Education on School Security Protocols
Training your staff on school security prevents any mishaps in an emergency. If your faculty feels uncertain about making a school safer, this method will increase comfort and staff awareness.
All staff are important when it comes to school security procedures. The lunchroom is just as susceptible to security breaches as other areas of the school.
Health and Physical Safety
Sports, Yoga and physical activities/exercises must be encouraged for each child in an age-appropriate manner. The importance of physical fitness in productivity of an individual must be explained grade appropriately to the child and the parents. Every school should have a basic medicine/first aid kit and emergency medical care numbers including ambulance services on display.7 Tips for Improving School Safety and Security Guidelines on School Safety and Security Schools should conduct health check-ups at least once in a year and maintain health cards. The school health cards must be comprehensive covering both physical and psycho-social aspects of child development and also includechild’s medical history, anyserious ailment/allergy that child has, or other disability issues.
School Safety Plan
A comprehensive all-hazards plan that takes into account all threats and hazards for a particular school. Creating safe environment for children, starting from the transportation from their homes to their schools and back.
Infrastructure safety and signage
Under the whole school approach, availability and maintenance of essential physical resources, is very crucial for making the physical environment of the school safe; mainly to prevent injuries and securing equipment aimed at securing the school. b. 7 Tips for Improving School Safety and Security While this is the responsibility of School Management/Principal to provide safe and comfortable infrastructure in school as per the norms already in place, however, school heads, teachers, other staff, students and even parents need to be oriented for critical observation of infrastructure facilities (entry, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, sports grounds, toilets, dispensary, (first aid arrangements), other secluded places and transport in schools, etc. and reporting if there is a need of additional facility or maintenance of the existing facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Installing or updating security cameras enhances campus safety by providing high-resolution footage that can deter crime, monitor suspicious activities, and assist in identifying individuals involved in incidents. Modern cameras with cloud storage capabilities also allow for quick sharing of footage with emergency responders, which can expedite their response and potentially prevent further harm.
An access control system regulates who can enter and exit the school premises, preventing unauthorized access and monitoring the timing of entry and exit. It also includes features like vestibule areas where visitors can be checked in by office staff and uses buzzers or cameras for verification, which adds an extra layer of security at school entrances.
Training staff on school security protocols ensures that all employees are prepared to handle emergencies and follow proper procedures. Educated staff are more confident and capable in maintaining safety, which reduces the risk of mishaps during security incidents and ensures that all areas of the school, including less-obvious ones like the lunchroom, are monitored.
Improving infrastructure safety involves ensuring that physical resources are well-maintained and that essential areas of the school—such as entryways, classrooms, laboratories, and sports grounds—are secure and free from hazards. Regular checks and updates to facilities, clear signage, and effective communication among school management, staff, students, and parents are key to maintaining a safe environment.
Health and safety guidelines should include regular health check-ups, comprehensive health cards for each student, and emergency medical care information. They should also emphasize the importance of physical fitness, ensure that first aid kits are available, and provide clear instructions for addressing both physical and psychological health issues.
