Lockdown Ready: Door-Securing Techniques
In today's world, being prepared for emergencies is essential, especially when it comes to workplace safety. In the event of a lockdown situation, knowing how to secure doors effectively can significantly increase the chances of protecting yourself and your colleagues. This article outlines techniques that you can use to secure a door during a lockdown event, empowering you to respond confidently in critical situations.
1. Locking the Door: The simplest and most fundamental step is to lock the door. If the door has a lock or deadbolt, engage it immediately. Make sure everyone in the room knows how to operate the lock and can do so quickly. Regular drills and training sessions can help ensure that locking the door becomes an automatic response.
2. Barricading with Furniture: In the absence of specialized security equipment, using furniture to barricade the door can be highly effective. Push heavy desks, tables, or cabinets against the door to create a physical barrier. This makes it more difficult for an intruder to force their way in. Ensure that the furniture is sturdy enough to withstand pressure and that it doesn't block any emergency exits.
3. Door Wedges or Stoppers: Perhaps the cheapest and easiest way is to use door wedges or door stoppers. They are small, simple devices that can prevent a door from opening. Insert the wedge(s) at the bottom of the door to create resistance against any attempt to push it open. Use multiple wedges if you have them. These devices are portable and can be kept in a drawer or easily accessible location.
4. Silence and Darkness: Maintain silence in the room and turn off lights to make the area less conspicuous. These actions can help create an impression that the area is empty and discourage any attempts to enter. One of the misconceptions out there is closing blinds or curtains to obscure the view into the room. A vast majority of active shooter events occur from the inside of the building. Closing the curtains or blinds only limits the first responder's ability to support you. Having visibility into the room gives first responders the ability to assess the room from the outside and potentially take direct action if needed.
5. Use of Security Bands or Straps: Explore the use of specialized security bands or straps designed to prevent the door from opening. These bands can be quickly fastened around the door handle and anchored to a sturdy fixture within the room. This method reinforces the door's resistance against external pressure.
6. Improvised Door Reinforcements: In cases where door reinforcement tools are not available, employ improvised methods. For instance, belts or strong cords around the door handle or hinge and secure them to heavy objects within the room or hold the opposite end of the belt off to the side of the door. This creates an ad hoc barrier that adds resistance to forced entry.
Securing a door during a lockdown event demands quick thinking, proactive preparation, and the capacity to adjust to rapidly evolving situations. By becoming well-versed in these techniques and engaging in routine lockdown drills, you not only equip yourself with the skills to respond decisively in critical moments but also significantly raise your chances of survival. Understanding that during active shooting incidents, assailants seek maximum casualties in minimal time underscores the importance of any form of obstacle or barrier creation. Remember, safeguarding workplaces is a collective endeavor that hinges on effective communication and coordinated efforts among colleagues. By implementing these strategies, you not only enhance your personal safety but contribute to the security of everyone involved