The danger and occurrence of School Shootings
Schools are places of knowledge that should feel safe for all. In the past few decades, this was sadly not always the case. Since the Columbine school shooting in 1999, it is estimated that over 292,000 students have experienced school gun violence. The most recent case was at a Minnesota Education Center. It led to multiple schools around it being placed on Lockdown. The shooters were two teenagers, aged 18 and 19. Sources cannot say what the motive behind the shooting was. It led to one death and one injury. There was no sign or threat before the incident, which makes it more worrying. School shootings are the reality of many young people and schools all around the world. Lockdown planning matters for schools across Australia and the Philippines too. Want to know more? Contact our team today.
In those cases, knowing how to assess a situation properly can be a daunting task. Both the nature of the context and the uncertainty tied to it create worrying scenarios for all.
How can one take precautions?
School shootings are a recurring issue in many parts of the world, and it can be hard to know how to take appropriate action. Constant awareness is essential when danger may be imminent. But it is not realistic to expect people to achieve this at all times. There are ways to prioritise this and to support it. Proper evacuation and safety training for both students and staff can help in two ways. Firstly, it gives them as much knowledge as possible to help themselves and others in high-stress situations. Secondly, it gives day-to-day peace of mind both inside and outside of schools. Various ways exist to raise awareness and add to knowledge and training. This is especially important for events like the recent one in Minneapolis, where there were no early signs of danger.
Clear communication is essential for faster reaction time and lower risks. Having plans in place beforehand, and the ability to send mass emergency alerts during a stressful situation, can make a real difference. Wireless emergency alert systems can support this.
Can Hazavoid help?
Over the past couple of years, as shootings were happening more often, certain schools decided to have officers on campus. This was seen as a reliable source of safety and protection. More and more today, schools are removing those officers so students feel more comfortable day to day. This leaves a gap for added safety and peace of mind, as awareness now falls on regular staff again. In those cases, solutions like Hazavoid can help provide peace of mind. Hazavoid offers fully wireless solutions, adaptable to existing buildings for easy installation and use. Both the Hazavoid Wireless Alarm System (pictured above) and the Hazavoid Wireless Alert Beacon System come with a backup battery and solar panels. This allows for reliable ways to both inform and alert.
With the remote in hand, anyone who notices danger can communicate with an entire zone of concern, both indoors and outdoors, at the push of a button. With the option to customise tones, the WiLAS (pictured above) gives flexibility. Proper safety protocols can work hand in hand with safety systems. For instance, users can create tones that say one thing but mean something else entirely, to deceive intruders and protect everyone else involved.
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