In the wake of active shooter tragedies, numerous safety products have flooded the school safety market. With so many new technologies at your fingertips, it may be difficult to choose the safest and most cost-effective solutions for your classrooms. This simple guide introduces the most important lockdown tools for schools, as well as necessary factors to consider when choosing the best products on the market.
Lockdown Tool #1: Lockdown Window Shades
We can’t overemphasize the importance of incorporating lockdown shades into classrooms. These shades offer an extra measure of protection by covering classroom door windows and sidelight windows during a lockdown situation. In order to be optimally effective, lockdown shades should be made from heavy-weight, blackout material, which ensures that movement behind the covering will not be detected. The material should also be fire-retardant, eliminating the fire hazards that other types of window covers pose. These shades should be quick-release, allowing the teacher to hide classroom occupants from view within seconds, without any hassle.
Lockdown Tool #2: Door Locks and Barricades
When an unwelcome threat enters a school, every classroom needs to be out of sight and out of reach. Proper locks can quickly secure classrooms by turning the door into a barricade. Many locking devices have been introduced in recent years, but some of these products are potentially ineffective and unsafe due to their complexity. The best door locks should be easy to operate under extreme stress, relying primarily on muscle memory and gross motor skills. This enables educators to instantly protect students from a potential threat during a school lockdown.
In addition, locking devices must meet code requirements for free egress, fire protection, and accessibility. These requirements allow occupants to quickly evacuate the classroom without being obstructed, compartmentalize the building to deter the spread of smoke and flames, and ensure accessibility to everyone, including those with disabilities. When using proper classroom door locks, the barricade can be opened from the outside with a special key made specifically for emergency personnel. Egress is also as easy as the push of a button.
School Safety Solution: Supplying Lockdown Tools for Schools
School Safety Solution is dedicated to providing the best lockdown solutions for schools. With the ultimate goal of saving lives, we offer lockdown shades, classroom door locks, and other safety products for schools to utilize during emergency situations. In order to provide the highest-quality solutions that offer maximum protection during lockdowns, we are proud to supply products that were developed by educators for educators. Some of these products include:
- Hideaway Helper – A classroom lockdown window shade made with high-quality, flame-retardant, blackout fabric that can be quickly deployed during a lockdown. The Hideaway Helper comes in a variety of standard sizes, but can also be customized to meet your classroom needs.
- TeacherLock™ – One of the quickest door barricade locking mechanisms on the market for classroom safety. This door lock is code compliant*, bullyproof, and easy to install on any door.
If you are interested in securing your classrooms with the help of School Safety Solution, don’t hesitate to contact us today!
*Interpretation of building and fire code varies widely and is subject to the Authority Having Jurisdiction.
