Educators and administrators are concerned about vaping in schools, and rightfully so. Not only does vaping endanger student health, but it can actively disrupt learning and education. Traditional monitoring systems like security cameras, can’t be everywhere, and students often find workarounds.
For this reason, modern vape detectors, like Soter Technologies’ FlySense®, are designed to work where cameras and other methods can’t. Here’s what to know when integrating vape detection as part of your existing school safety protocols.
Why Integrate Vape Detectors?
Integrating vape detectors offers schools a number of benefits including:
Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts
Advanced vape detectors are constantly monitoring air quality and are tuned to detect particles from nicotine and THC vapors. Whenever these are detected, vape detection systems send an alert to school officials which allows for swift reactions. Lindenhurst Middle School in New York installed Soter Technologies’ FlySense FS300 detectors in its bathrooms, which allowed them to promptly address incidents.
Works as a Deterrent
Sometimes simply seeing vape detectors and knowing they’re around can deter students who are thinking of lighting up. Knowing the area is under surveillance makes students think twice. When students believe it’s too risky to vape or smoke, they simply don’t, and often encourage their peers to follow suit.
Working Together with Existing Systems
Modern vape detectors can be seamlessly integrated with schools’ current safety measures, including surveillance cameras and communication networks. This creates a more cohesive approach to monitoring and responding to incidents.
Data Collection for Faster Interventions
Advanced vape detection systems collect data on vaping incidents which can give school facilities teams details into patterns and hotspots within the school. This in turn allows schools to allocate resources and intervene more efficiently.
There are also educational opportunities hidden in responding to vaping incidents. The aforementioned Lindenhurst Middle School included having students caught vaping to research its harmful effects.
Making Vape Detectors Work with Existing School Safety Protocols
In making vape detectors work with existing school safety protocols, there are a few important points to keep in mind. For example, you’ll want to make sure that the use of vape detectors respects student confidentiality and follows privacy regulations. Beyond these points, educating students about vape detectors – not just their presence, but also their purpose – helps create a culture of transparency and reduces attempts to bypass the system.
Beyond these points, it’s important you se data collected from vape detectors to inform, not just punish. Supportive measures, including counseling and educational programs, are always welcomed and encouraged.
How to Implement Vape Detection Systems
Implementing vape detection systems, such as FlySense from Soter Technologies, starts with a detailed assessment of school needs. Evaluate areas with high incidences of v aping such as bathrooms and locker rooms, to find the best places to install vape detectors.
From there, choose systems that align with the school’s goals and budgets. Soter Technologies offers various models, such as the FlySense FS300, which detects nicotine, THC, air quality changes, and sound shifts, providing a full monitoring solution while recognizing
Work with local technology providers to integrate vape detectors with existing safety systems. This helps to better coordinate responses and makes the most use of available resources. Once the vape detectors are installed, work together to train staff on how alerts should be interpreted and responded to.
Let students know about the presence of the vape detectors and the consequences of vaping on school grounds. In addition to using vape detectors, many schools take a multi-pronged approach involving parents and the local community as well.
Why Choose FlySense Vape Detectors?
FlySense vape detectors are advanced devices developed by Soter Technologies. These cutting-edge devices are designed to monitor air quality as well as alert to potential bullying incidents.
FlySense’s advanced sensors are tuned to spot the presence of nicotine and THC vapors in the air. When these particles are detected, the system sends out immediate alerts via text and/or email to designated school officials along with the time and location where the issue was detected.
Beyond detecting vaping, FlySense can also monitor changes in sound levels which may indicate potential aggression or bullying. The detectors are trained to analyze audio patterns to alert to any potential incidents and alert staff to take action accordingly.
To help protect the integrity of the device, FlySense vape detectors are equipped with proximity sensors and accelerometers. They’re able to detect if they’re being tampered with including if they’re being moved or changed. This helps keep the system reliable and functioning while notifying the necessary staff in the event of tampering.
Our advanced FlySense models also collect relevant data on incidents which can help school administrators, educators and staff spot patterns and trends before they become more widespread. This information can help create more targeted interventions, update school policy, and put resources where they can best serve the student population.
Getting Started with Vape Detectors
Vaping isn’t going away any time soon. Vape detectors that offer seamless integration with existing school safety protocols help administrators and staff monitor and deter vaping among students. However, technology itself isn’t the complete solution. Schools that implement supportive measures in addition to the technology, create a safer, healthier and more transparent environment that focuses on studnet well-being and academic achievement.
Here at Soter Technologies, we’re proud of the role our vape detectors play in keeping schools healthy. We consistently publish new and relevant educational materials about the dangers of vaping, its popularity in schools among teens and how vape companies are purposefully targeting these markets as consumers for their products.
Being aware of the dangers and taking actions to protect students is more important than ever, and with Soter Technologies’ FlySense vape detectors by your side, you’ll have the monitoring and notification system you need in place, even when you can’t be there. To learn more, contact us today or visit our website.
