What is a Soft Lockdown?

Answering Your Questions About Key School Safety Strategies

School safety is a top priority for administrators, staff, and families alike. With active shooter incidents being a growing concern for schools, creating a secure learning environment has never been more crucial.  

Effective school safety requires comprehensive planning, clear protocols, and effective safety measures. In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of lockdowns commonly used in schools—soft lockdowns, hard lockdowns, and code red lockdowns—along with their purposes and implementation guidelines. Additionally, we’ll discuss common school safety issues and provide solutions, highlighting ALICE Training® and Preparation & Response Training as proactive approaches to enhancing school safety. 

What is a Soft Lockdown? 

A soft lockdown is a precautionary lockdown used when there is no immediate threat inside the school, but there may be potential risks in the vicinity, such as police activity or other security concerns. During a soft lockdown, access to the school is restricted, and students remain indoors, continuing their activities with additional security measures. School administrators and staff monitor the situation closely, and external doors are typically locked to limit access from the outside. 

Benefits of Soft Lockdowns: 

• Allows students and teachers to continue classes with minimal disruption. 

• Prevents unauthorized access to the school while maintaining a calm, secure environment. 

• Enables staff to quickly upgrade to a hard lockdown if the threat level increases. 

Soft Lockdown vs. Hard Lockdown: Key Differences 

While a soft lockdown is generally precautionary, a hard lockdown is implemented when there is an immediate threat to safety on school grounds, such as an active shooter or a violent intruder. In a hard lockdown, teachers and students follow strict protocols to minimize visibility and movement, locking doors, turning off lights, and hiding. This level of lockdown is designed to protect the school community from immediate danger. 

In summary: 

• Soft Lockdown: For potential external threats, students and staff remain in classrooms without high restrictions. 

• Hard Lockdown: For immediate internal threats, students and staff secure themselves in hidden, locked areas. 

ALICE Training® from Navigate360 provides options-based response training to enhance lockdown procedures, empowering teachers and students with proactive strategies such as evacuation or barricading, depending on the situation. 

What is a Code Red Lockdown? 

A code red lockdown is the highest level of lockdown, often associated with active shooter situations. This protocol signals an urgent threat to life and requires everyone to take cover, barricade themselves, and remain silent. Communication between law enforcement and school administrators is critical during a code red lockdown to ensure a coordinated response. 

Should You Use Color Codes in Emergencies? 

Schools sometimes use color codes like code red, code yellow, or code blue in school to designate different types of lockdowns or emergencies. However, ALICE Training® does not recommend using color systems for emergency alerts. It is preferable for everyone involved to communicate specific, descriptive information. For example, describing the location and appearance of an intruder helps everyone respond more effectively. Vague color codes can lead to confusion, especially for visitors or substitute staff who may not remember specific color meanings. 

Descriptive information, such as “the intruder is in the north hallway wearing a red jacket,” ensures that everyone knows exactly where the threat is, adding an additional layer of safety by informing the intruder that their location is known. 

Common School Safety Issues & Solutions 

Schools face a range of safety challenges, from external security threats to internal behavioral issues. Addressing these effectively involves a blend of physical safety measures, behavioral management strategies, and strong access control. 

1. Managing Access to School Grounds

Uncontrolled access to school facilities can pose significant risks. Schools should secure all entry points and implement access control systems that restrict unauthorized entry. These systems may include: 

• Metal Detectors: Screening devices at main entrances to detect prohibited items and enhance school security. 

• Visitor Management Solutions: Tools to monitor, record, and restrict visitors, ensuring only authorized personnel access the school grounds. 

Navigate360 Visitor Management solution provides comprehensive screening, approving, and tracking capabilities schools use to control and monitor access in real-time. Learn more about the key benefits of a visitor management system here.  

2. Implementing Conflict Resolution & De-Escalation Training

Behavioral issues among students are common in schools and can escalate into conflicts. Schools can address this through conflict resolution and de-escalation training, equipping staff with skills to detect and diffuse aggression effectively.  

Navigate360 Preparation & Response Training includes courses on de-escalation and conflict resolution, supporting a calm, respectful school atmosphere that benefits the entire school community.

3. Enhancing Emergency Response Through ALICE Training®

Active shooter incidents are among the most serious threats schools may face, necessitating specialized training. Traditional lockdowns are not sufficient in the face of an active shooter. ALICE Training® (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) offers a modern, trauma-informed approach to active shooter preparedness. Rather than relying solely on traditional lockdowns, ALICE provides options to evacuate, barricade, or counter depending on the situation.  

By training staff and students in ALICE strategies, schools can empower individuals to participate actively in their own safety, ensuring a more resilient school community. 

4. Managing Active Shooter & Other Emergency Drills with Emergency Management Solutions

In addition to ALICE Training®, regular active shooter drills are essential to ensure that staff and students are familiar with protocols and prepared to act swiftly during a crisis. Conducting these drills safely and effectively requires careful coordination and tracking, especially to meet compliance requirements.  

Emergency Management solutions assist schools in managing and organizing not only active shooter drills but all required safety drills, such as fire and evacuation drills. EM tools provide centralized tracking and reporting features that help schools stay compliant with state and district regulations, ensuring that drills are conducted on schedule and documented accurately. This proactive approach enables schools to maintain readiness and confidently demonstrate compliance, supporting a safer and more prepared school community.

5. Addressing Mental Health & Student Well-Being

A positive learning environment goes beyond physical safety and includes emotional well-being. Common issues like bullying, anxiety, and stress can affect a student’s mental health and overall school experience. Schools can implement social-emotional learning (SEL) programs and counseling services to support student well-being. 

Navigate360 SEL and Mental Health & Prevention curriculum provide structured programs that address the unique needs of today’s students, fostering resilience and encouraging positive interactions.

Building a Layered, Holistic Approach to School Safety 

A multi-layered approach to school safety integrates physical security measures, crisis response training, mental health support, and structured emergency management. Essential safety strategies include security technology (like access control, surveillance, and metal detectors), crisis response training for active shooter scenarios and de-escalation, mental health programs to boost resilience, and regular, compliant emergency drills. 

By implementing ALICE Training® and Preparation & Response Training, schools prepare staff and students to respond effectively to emergencies, creating a safe, supportive learning environment. Together, these comprehensive strategies equip schools to handle modern challenges confidently, fostering a secure atmosphere where every member of the school community feels protected and valued.

Speak with a safety and well-being expert today to get started!