Security Experts Make School Safety a Top Priority
Irving, TX (PRWEB) September 06, 2013 -- Formulating a campus safety plan for students and school personnel became one of the Electronic Security Association’s (ESA) priorities after the Sandy Hook tragedy. Since the beginning of 2000, more than 150 students have been killed in campus shooting incidents in the United States, with almost the same number sustaining injuries. Many of these incidents occurred during school hours and were carried out by those who had access to the school as a faculty member or student. A customized security plan is instrumental in helping schools prevent or mitigate future incidents.
To help schools create an effective security plan, ESA recently released a comprehensive set of Electronic Security Guidelines for Schools. The guidelines, which are available for free public download, were created by a panel of experts with extensive experience in school security. These guidelines are a resource for schools considering procurement of an electronic security system. By emphasizing best practices instead of technology or sales, the document provides insight on every step of the process from assessment of threats and funding options to selection of contractors and system integration.
ESA encourages schools across the country to take advantage of the best practices outlined in the guidelines and to contact ESA with any questions. Whether it’s a kindergarten class or a college campus, students should never have to worry about safety and security while they’re at school.
Additionally, in honor of National Campus Safety Awareness Month in September, ESA is also offering these tips to help raise students’ awareness as they travel back and forth to school.
Many students walk or drive to and from school unaccompanied by an adult. While every danger cannot be anticipated, students should be alerted to the possibility of threats and should be counseled to always exercise these common safety precautions:
• Don’t take shortcuts through unfamiliar neighborhoods.
• If possible, stay in groups.
• Do not talk on the phone; it’s important to stay alert to the surroundings.
• Try not to walk at night, and avoid desolate areas.
• Do not talk to or accept items from strangers.
• Immediately contact police if someone is following too closely or acting suspiciously.
• Be sure to safeguard access to private communities – never allow strangers to enter behind you.
Keeping students safe is a top-of-mind priority for parents, guardians and school administrators. ESA encourages administrators to take advantage of the free school security guidelines in order to formulate a plan for their schools. And, by sharing the travel safety tips with children, adults can help students avoid hazards and have a safer school year.
ABOUT ESA
Established in 1948, the Electronic Security Association (ESA) is the largest trade association representing the electronic life safety and security industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients. In cooperation with an alliance of chapter associations, ESA provides technical and management training, government advocacy and delivers information, advice, tools, and services that members use to grow their businesses and prosper. ESA may be reached at (888) 447-1689 or on the Web at http://www.esaweb.org.
Laurie Knox, Electronic Security Association, http://www.ESAweb.org, (888) 447-1689 6825, [email protected]
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