Risk Reporter for Camps and Conference Centers

 Print this Article    Email

Protection (buildings and grounds)

An ounce of prevention keeps buildings and grounds safe

They say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That’s especially true when it comes to protecting camps and conference centers.

Being unprepared now could spell bigger trouble later. To help avoid potentially dangerous and costly situations, make sure you’re following these practices to help harden the perimeter around your buildings and grounds:

1. Upgrade your outdoor lighting
   
   Using the right size lamps and fixtures helps create a feeling of safety for anyone working, visiting or staying at your camp or conference center. A good reference guide is the U.S. Department of Energy’s Exterior Lighting for Energy Savings, Security, and Safety. You can view it at http://tinyurl.com/zsrhwns.
   
   Also consider replacing older incandescent lights with LED bulbs. LEDs are a little more expensive, but they last longer and typically are brighter.
    
2. Install security cameras
   
   Today’s digital cameras can connect wirelessly to a recording system in your main office or directly to a security company. Install them near doorways and other high-traffic areas. Make sure your cameras are near a good light source so the images on your video are clear.
    
3. Consider audible alarms
   
   Many times, audible alarm systems are overlooked in favor of silent alarms. The sound of an alarm, however, is exactly what you need to signal an emergency. The sound can also alert staff members to potential danger.
   
   Many alarm systems now come with a pulsating strobe light that is visible for miles. This helps you and authorities pinpoint the exact location that needs attention.
    
4. Install deadbolts
   
   Deadbolts provide the best possible security of any door locks. For conference centers, consider them for all of your exterior doors. You can get models that use letter safe combinations, passcodes or even your fingerprint to open doors.
   
   In camps, some doors aren’t meant to be locked. But the doors of your main office, lodges, dining hall and cabins are all good candidates for deadbolts.
    
5. Consider an electronic keycard system
   
   Many conference centers today are replacing traditional key systems with keyless, electronic cards. With a keyless system, you can:

• Manage a person’s access via computer
• Identify who used specific doors (and when)
• Deactivate a keycard when someone leaves the organization

For camps, a keycard system could be an option for buildings that have 24/7 electrical service. Again, this could include the main office, dining hall, lodges or cabins.
 

6. Add safety curbs and barriers
   
   If you think of your grounds as concentric circles, you want to be sure you have the right safety equipment in each area. In the outer circle, safety typically means controlling foot and automobile traffic.
   
   Adding curbs or retaining walls around the perimeter of your conference center is a good way to direct the flow of traffic precisely where you want it to go. You can do the same thing at camps with wooden ties or sawn logs.
   
   These traffic diverters and walls offer excellent security benefits. Depending on the size of your barriers, you can use them to keep people and cars away from restricted areas.
   
   Terraces, raised plant beds, trees, planters, fencing, gatehouses and bollards also are good protective tools. Many facilities are using them to redirect traffic, provide added security and beautify grounds.
   
   Consider using temporary barriers for special events and festivals, too.
   
    

Editor: Amy M. Kimmes akimmes@churchmutual.com

Risk Control Advisor: Edward A. Steele, CSP, ARM esteele@churchmutual.com