Over 94,000 Public Schools Now on LockdownAlert.com
www.LockdownAlert.com, which launched earlier this month, now supports 94,201 public schools with its free cell phone based emergency notification system for parents.
(PRWEB) November 27, 2006 -- www.LockdownAlert.com, which launched earlier this month, now supports 94,201 public schools with its free cell phone based emergency notification system for parents.
Every day across the United States dozens of public schools go on lockdown for various reasons. Lockdowns were established by some public school districts after the Columbine High School massacre and are now required in all 50 states following the terrorist attacks of 9/11. There were at least 31 alerts in 12 states last week effecting as many as five schools each. Most public schools do not directly notify parents when an emergency situation occurs. This often leaves parents unaware and sometimes confused as to what action, if any, they should take.
Some lockdowns are prompted from direct threats within the school or classroom. Like, earlier this month, when a Maine high school student stumbled out of the boy's bathroom and collapsed on a hallway floor with a knife lodged in his chest. Others are precautionary, such as when a mountain lion wandered near a school in CA. The most common causes for school lockdowns are criminal activity on or near a school campus and bomb threats or threats of violence against students, staff or the school itself.
Lockdown Alert sends a text message to parents when an emergency occurs at their child's elementary school, middle school or high school. Parents must sign up for the service at www.LockdownAlert.com. There is no charge to parents or schools since the service is sponsored by advertisers such as Google. The text alert can be sent as a text message to a cell phone, email address or both. No personal information of any kind is requested. All major cellular carriers including Sprint, Nextel, Verizon, Alltel, AT&T, Metro PCS, T-Mobile and Cingular are supported.
When a lockdown occurs, parents who subscribe will receive a text message directing them to www.LockdownAlert.com. At the website, parents will find detailed information. Subscribers will also receive an sms text message notifying them when the alert is lifted.
"Now that we support every public school in 49 states, our goal is to get as many parents as possible registered in the system. At this point, we're really counting on word of mouth. We're hoping that members will mention the service during local Parent, Teacher and Student Association (PTSA) meetings", said Glen Wheeler, president of Xleet, Inc. which owns the site. "It's good for the parents and the schools if everyone knows what's happening and why. We're proud to offer a tool that allows school officials to communicate with parents during an emergency."
Lockdown Alert does not support private schools at this time. However, plans are in the works to add private schools. For more information, visit www.lockdownalert.com.
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