What Should You Do if Your Child’s School is On Lockdown?
School lockdowns are scary situations for everyone involved. The threat of danger, whether imminent or not, often leads parents to react in panic. To help protect the safety of the students and educators, it is important that every parent knows how to respond to a school lockdown.
What is a School Lockdown?
A school lockdown can occur when there is a threat nearby, either in the immediate or surrounding area of the school. This threat could be an active shooter, an on-the-run criminal, or even the threat of potential danger, such as a bomb note on a locker.
When a school is on lockdown, no one is allowed to leave or enter the facility. Police sweep the area and do everything possible to protect everyone in the threatened vicinity. Inside the school, students and educators lock themselves in the classrooms and await further instructions.
How Should Parents Respond to Lockdowns?
As a parent, everything in you likely wants to rush to the school and do everything you can to remove your child from that situation. Unfortunately, this can increase the danger for everyone involved. If you ever receive the news that your child’s school is on lockdown, take a deep breath and do the following.
Stay calm
Panic does not help anybody. Your brain may be going a million miles an hour, but you have to force yourself to stay calm and rational. This allows you to evaluate the situation logically.
Avoid calling the school
If the threat is imminent, calling the school repeatedly will only cause problems, and it is not likely you will be answered.
Do not rush to the scene
Again, rushing to the school is disruptive at best and dangerous at worst. Keep your phone handy, but sit tight where you are.
Follow instructions carefully
The school will have procedures in place for everyone involved. Follow instructions closely, as this will make it easier on the school staff, as well as law enforcement officials.
Wait for updates
Waiting is difficult, but it is important. Be as patient as possible. The school will update you as soon as they can.
What Can You Do Ahead of Time to Help?
Preparation is key in almost every circumstance. Hopefully these tips will never be needed, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Educate yourself on the school procedures
Make sure you know how your child’s school will respond in emergency situations. This will help you know how to respond.
Keep emergency information updated
The facility needs to be able to reach you, so make sure all your contact information is current.
Talk to your children
Your children need to know to remain calm if they are ever in an unthinkable situation. Be open with them about the procedures of the school and the importance of following them. This could save their lives.
Your children need to know to remain calm if they are ever in an unthinkable situation. Be open with them about the procedures of the school and the importance of following them. This could save their lives.
How Can Schools Protect Children during a Lockdown?
The LockOut SmartBoot System combines our physical door barricade, The Boot™, along with our Highly Reflective Rapid Response Room Placards and Ballistic Shields with our patented Smart System to create a comprehensive school lockdown and security system. With these components fully integrated, the SmartBoot System has the ability to protect schools from senseless acts of violence and protect the lives of innocent students and educators.
If you have any further questions regarding school lockdowns or the LockOut SmartBoot System, do not hesitate to call us today. Your safety is our priority.
