Winter is fast approaching, the cold weather and dark nights are already drawing in. As we approach the Christmas holidays there is a lot to consider in terms of security in order to keep your staff, pupils and school premises safe.

So, what do you need to take in to account during winter?

Dark mornings and nights

Although schools will be occupied until the school holidays, security measures should be readdressed in winter and the cold weather, as well as darker mornings and nights are important to consider when doing so.

If staff are arriving early or staying into the evening, it is likely some will be on site alone so security measures should be put in place to reassure them they are safe.

It may also be worth thinking about a lock and unlock service so daily locking or unlocking duties are taken care of without the risk of something being forgotten. This way everyone knows who is responsible for what and you are not running the risk of a member of staff making a mistake and leaving the school vulnerable to theft or vandalism.

Protecting empty premises

Whether it is out of hours or during the school holidays, unfortunately your premises are more vulnerable in the winter. The colder temperatures and wet weather make burst pipes and other damage far more likely, and this is on top of the usual vulnerabilities that come with vacant properties, it may be worth considering vacant property inspections so any issues are picked up early and less damage is caused.

Our Vacant Property Inspection Service ensures your property is safe from the moment the last member of staff leaves, meaning there is less chance of something untoward occurring whilst no one is present. Our fully trained, vetted and uniformed SIA accredited mobile patrol officers will visit the property regularly at agreed times and will document their findings, producing detailed reports on what they see.

The physical presence of uniformed guards is also deterrent to criminal activity and it means your insurance is proacted by identifying issues before they become larger problems.

Enhanced security systems

Ensuring a security system is in place and functional is a brilliant deterrent to possible burglars or vandals, and if something were to happen, there will be evidence of the incident and the culprit is more likely to be caught.

Maintenance schedule

Whatever you do, do not neglect maintenance during the winter months. Winter brings with it cold, rain and potentially snow, so there is never a more important time to keep on top of regular upkeep. In particular, ensure windows are sealed and secured, there are no weaknesses in your roof that could cause leaks and make sure your boiler is regularly serviced.

The Christmas holidays are also a great time to get repairs and services completed whilst the school is quiet, where it would otherwise be difficult so take advantage!

If you have concerns or queries about the safety or security of your school premises, or you would like to discuss the options available to keep your school secure contact us today. Simply call 0115 911 0213!