How To Improve Safety And Security In Nursing Homes

Here at CCTV 42, we care immensely about security and keeping people, buildings, and possessions safe. Buildings, whether residential or commercial, are susceptible to vandals, burglars and more and keeping them and the people occupying the building safe should always be of the utmost importance. One place which often blurs the line between commercial and residential is nursing and care homes, though businesses they house many people, often some of the most vulnerable members of society, making the need for top-level security vital. We have created a list of areas nursing homes and similar establishments should consider when updating their security.

CCTV

When it comes to the security of premises, CCTV is the first thing to come to most people’s minds and rightfully so. Good CCTV can be fundamental in protecting property or, where necessary, identifying and bringing to justice the culprits of vandalism, burglary, and other crimes. With the vast amount of people typically living in nursing homes, the need for CCTV is amplified significantly.

CCTV also offers other benefits such as ensuring staff are acting per regulations and best practices. In the unfortunate incident that a resident or member of staff injures themselves indoor CCTV cameras can be crucial in identifying the cause. CCTV cameras are a deterrent for would-be vandals among others too meaning they can prevent problems from arising as well as bring about a swift resolution to those that do occur. 

Alarms

Alarms are a basic safety and security measure designed to alert you of any trespassers. If someone enters the premises who shouldn’t be there the staff need to know. It seems very simple but nursing homes without sufficient alarms are missing an easy opportunity to add an extra layer of security to the building which can further protect residents, staff, and visitors.

Access Control

Access control is an essential element of nursing home security. Restricting access to staff can be easily achieved. You can find access control in a variety of forms such as pin entry and fob access and some homes will use two levels of security, using a door with fob access followed by a second door which requires a pin entry. This two-level security system means that should someone accidentally see the pin code or retrieve a fob they are still unable to access the building.

Visitor Management

There are more than just staff that need to get into the building though, there are many visitors that will pass through daily. Nursing homes need to prioritise a system which monitors all visitors that come in and leave. Not only does this help staff ensure visitors are visitors and have gone through the necessary signing-in process but it also produces a list of people occupying the building which could prove vital in the case of a fire evacuation. You can find some very effective visitor management systems which handle the entire process from taking a photo, printing out a disposable ID and offering an easy-to-use sign-in / sign-out software.

From home surveillance to visitor management systems, there are many ways to further protect yourself, staff, residents, and visitors when it comes to nursing homes. The four areas discussed above can be the difference between becoming a victim of a crime and preventing burglary, vandalism, and a range of other crimes. If security is a high priority for you (as it should be) look pot for these items among others when selecting a nursing home for yourself or a loved one.