Before classrooms across New Zealand and Australia wrap up the school year and the focus shifts from reading and math to Santa and togs, administrators have one final task ahead to prepare for the school holidays: securing the building. The school holidays present security challenges in education settings not typically experienced during the school terms, such as a lack of occupancy, the presence of contracted maintenance workers, and the increased risk of vandalism. Now is the perfect time to plan for the extended summer break and ensure the building where your students and faculty gather to learn and make memories is ready to welcome them back in the new school year.
Service your systems
A great place to start is by servicing your alarms, access systems, and CCTV for an annual tune up. It’s easier – not to mention more cost effective – to service these systems with fewer people on site and ensures they’re performing at their best when Term 1 rolls around. Providing a detailed 6-month “alarm events” report from your onsite system or monitoring company can help your service agent target any problem areas while you’re off enjoying a well-deserved break.
Examine your buildings
Taking the time to physically examine your building and sensors can help reduce false alarms and costly callouts during the holidays. Before staff leave, make sure hanging artwork, decorations, and obstructions (like cobwebs) are removed from areas with alarm sensors, windows are closed and secure, air con units are turned off, and all doors are functioning and properly closed. Something as small as a breeze from a window, the movement of a spider, or a loose door can trigger alarm sensors and lead to unnecessary callouts. Furthermore, make sure laptops and other pricey electronics are secured and not visible from classroom windows and that all building keys are accounted for and safely stored. Consider using a new alarm code for the upcoming school year if you’re not using individualized ones already.
Remove access for departing staff
End of term can be a popular time for staff turnover. Make a plan to remove credentials including access cards and codes for those who won’t be returning in the new school year or reach out to your service provider for assistance. Similarly, take stock of how you’ll manage the contractors and staff entering the building for maintenance work during the break. Manage their welfare on site through your contract manager and Bluetooth mobile credentials; if you don’t have this capability, make sure anyone entering the site alerts your monitoring provider to avoid false alarms. At the same time, provide your monitoring company with a temporary holiday schedule for your school so any visitors have their welfare checked on while you’re gone.
Update server time schedules
To avoid doors unlocking when your buildings are supposed to be closed, be sure to update the time schedules on your server for access times and dates. This may include adjusting the auto alarms on your systems to ensure earlier auto arming than what you have set during the normal term schedule.
Prepare your CCTV systems
Double-check that your CCTV systems are working, updated to your holiday schedule, and aimed at high-risk areas, too. Lock down sports and grounds sheds, access gates, and janitor areas – if it can be opened, it can be damaged. If they’re not on an easy-to-use access control system, then make sure outdoor units are secured with a physical, hardened lock.
Don’t forget the basics
Even simple measures can be highly effective at deterring damage or theft. No one likes bright lights if they’re up to no good, so check your exterior lights and replace old bulbs as needed. Warning signs detailing the security measures you’ve taken to protect your school can scare people off – just be sure to post plenty of those signs in multiple locations to ensure you have enough coverage.
Schedule regular onsite visits
Finally, consider mobile security patrols for objects that are particularly prone to vandalism and damage, like water drinking taps. While you’re out manually inspecting these items, be sure to also scope out the buildings and grounds to ensure no security issues have arisen. Staff popping in and out during the break can be in “holiday mode” and may easily forget to secure windows and doors before heading home for the day. Random patrol visits conducted at least once a day help you to not only quickly identify and correct security issues, but it sends a signal that your school is still being monitored even though your students and staff are off enjoying time with their families.
Taking the time to plan for your school’s holiday security now is like giving yourself the gift of peace of mind as we head into the busy Christmas and summer seasons. While you’re off enjoying the Australian or New Zealand sunshine, you can rest assured that your school is well protected and ready to foster the learning and growth of your students and staff in the new year.
If you’d like more information about security solutions for your school, contact your local representative.