Lockdown Drill: Instant Alerts for School and Business Preparedness
A lockdown drill is a critical exercise for schools and businesses to prepare for emergencies. It involves testing your lockdown procedures and communication systems to ensure everyone knows what to do in a crisis. Lockdown Alert helps you conduct effective drills by providing instant, site-wide lockdown alerts via phone calls, panic buttons, or emails. This helps you raise the alarm quickly and supports the communication part of the procedures Martyn’s Law will ask premises to have.
Table of contents
- What is a lockdown drill?
- How does Lockdown Alert work for drills?
- Why conduct lockdown drills?
- How much does it cost?
- Key takeaways
- FAQs
What is a lockdown drill?
A lockdown drill is a practice run of your emergency response plan. It helps you identify gaps and improve communication among staff and students. The Home Office statutory guidance for Martyn’s Law expects procedures to be briefed to staff and tested, and the duties are expected to start in spring 2027.
How does Lockdown Alert work for drills?
Lockdown Alert turns a phone call, panic button press, email, or web portal click into an instant full-screen lockdown alert on every PC, Mac, phone, tablet, and wall screen at your site. Drills are marked with an amber alert and a TEST badge, clearly distinguishing them from real alerts. Every drill is recorded in the portal, giving you a detailed history of all drills conducted.
Why conduct lockdown drills?
Conducting regular lockdown drills is essential for several reasons:
- Preparation: Drills help prepare staff and students for different emergency scenarios.
- Communication: They ensure everyone understands and can follow lockdown procedures.
- Preparedness: Testing your procedures is part of getting ready for Martyn’s Law.
- Safety: Regular practice can save lives by reducing confusion and panic during an actual emergency.
How much does it cost?
Lockdown Alert offers a 30-day free trial, accessible directly from the site. No credit card is required. After the trial, prices start from £350 per site per year, with UK hosting. That covers full-screen alerts on every connected device and screen at the site.
Key takeaways
- Lockdown Alert turns a phone call, panic button press, email, or web portal click into an instant full-screen lockdown alert on every device.
- Drills are marked with an amber alert and TEST badge, clearly distinguishing them from real alerts.
- Every drill is recorded, giving you a history to review and to show governors and inspectors.
- There is a 30-day free trial, then prices start from £350 per site per year.
FAQs
How do I start a lockdown drill?
You can start a lockdown drill by dialling the lockdown number on any desk phone, pressing a panic button, sending an email, or clicking the red button in the web portal. Every enrolled device and screen will show your custom lockdown message within seconds.
What does a lockdown drill look like?
A lockdown drill shows up as an amber alert with a TEST badge on every screen. This clear distinction ensures that real alerts are never mistaken for drills.
How do I track and review drills?
Lockdown Alert records every drill, showing who initiated it, when it was started, how many screens were affected, and when it was cleared. You can see it in the portal and show it to governors and inspectors.
How does Lockdown Alert help you prepare for Martyn’s Law?
Lockdown Alert does not by itself meet any legal duty. It supports the communication and record-keeping parts of your procedures. It ensures that all drills and alerts are recorded, facilitating reporting to governors and inspectors.
Get in touch with Lockdown Alert today
This article is general information, not legal advice. Check the Home Office statutory guidance and the Security Industry Authority for the current position on Martyn's Law.