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Shining a Light on Safety in Schools:
How Improved Lighting Design Creates Safer Learning Environments
Creating a safe environment in schools is extremely important, and lighting design plays a crucial role. Adequate light levels, proper placement of fixtures, and the right types of lighting for each application are all parts of the equation that add up to safety for students and staff. So, let’s go over the ways lighting can help minimize risks, deter intruders, and create a sense of security.
Great Lighting Design Can Help Schools With…
- Accident Prevention
Ensuring that light levels are adequate in high-traffic areas helps prevent trips and falls. Areas with bright light should include stairways and hallways. By increasing the lumen output and keeping up with regular light maintenance, brightness levels will remain steady over time. With adequate light achieved, students will be able to better navigate school safely with a reduced likelihood of injury.
- Emergency Preparation
Schools must have emergency lighting systems in place that activate automatically in case of a power outage. These systems should include emergency backup drivers that are added to select LED lights already installed throughout the school. These backup batteries will ensure sufficient lighting can remain on for a safe evacuation. Exit signs, with or without traditional emergency lights attached, should also be installed in appropriate places to help everyone find their way out quickly.
- Crime Deterrence
Spaces that are well-lit act as a deterrent for criminal activities. Proper lighting fixtures being installed throughout a school’s grounds will discourage vandalism, theft, and other misconduct. By adding strategic lighting that eliminates dark areas and blind spots both inside and outside, potentially harmful behavior will be more easily observed and therefore less likely to take place.
Expert Tip: Don’t Forget to Update Exterior Lighting
Lighting in parking lots, along walkways, at bus stops, in stairwells, and throughout a school’s campus will help reduce the risk of accidents and provide reassurance to those navigating the outdoor space. By adding smart features to exterior lights, such as dusk-to-dawn timing or motion-sensing capability, schools can also reduce energy consumption while still providing a safely lit environment.
Safety and security in schools should be front-of-mind for those designing the lighting so it can be out-of-mind for the students, teachers, parents, and staff. By considering lighting design as an integral part of school infrastructure, administrators can create a safe, comfortable, and conducive learning environment for all. A brighter and safer future for our schools and the communities they serve is possible through thoughtful design.
To get started upgrading - or even completely reimagining - the lighting design at your school, reach out to our team of experts. We have worked with numerous schools (including the Bluford School in Philadelphia) to help improve the functionality and efficiency of their lighting. So, we are ready to help with your next project! Call, text, email, or fill out this form to take the first step toward improved lighting and safety.
