Precautionary Measures for Easter Bonfires at Schools
In anticipation of the traditional Easter ‘lambratzia’ bonfires, schools are ramping up safety protocols to ensure a secure environment for students and faculty. Deputy Director of Secondary Education, Stelios Theophilou, has outlined the comprehensive strategies being implemented across educational institutions.
Efforts include clearing yards of items such as benches that could potentially catch fire. Additionally, schools are ensuring that alarm systems remain fully operational during this period. In a proactive move, certain schools, especially those identified as high-risk, have gone a step further by hiring private security firms to conduct patrols.
To bolster these measures, ten schools have been granted permission to set up closed-circuit surveillance cameras, enhancing their ability to monitor activities on school premises. The presence of police patrols in the vicinity of schools is set to increase, providing an additional layer of security.
Infrastructure improvements are also part of the safety upgrades, with schools making efforts to reinforce fences and improve lighting, which are essential deterrents against unauthorized entry and potential bonfire hazards.
Theophilou emphasized the importance of education in these safety initiatives. Students have received instructions on the dangers of fireworks, and collaborative efforts with police and parents aim to further educate them on the associated risks. Discreet checks of student belongings are also being conducted as a preventive measure before the holiday break.
In an appeal to local authorities, schools have requested that school grounds be exempt from use for bonfire activities. Moreover, the Fire and Police Departments will be promptly notified if any bonfire preparations are spotted in proximity to school properties. These comprehensive security measures reflect the schools’ commitment to safeguarding their communities during the festive but potentially hazardous Easter bonfire tradition.
