How to Buy a Shredder for a Classroom

From small families to corporations employing thousands, everyone needs the security a shredder can provide. In today’s high-tech world simple document destruction may well be the best measure to take against criminals trying to steal confidential information. While everyone is at risk, classrooms have an unusually high volume of personal data passing between parents, teachers and students, so their shredders need to be up to the task.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Conduct an online review of various types of shredders, noting available special features, prices, warranties and which online and offline merchants carry certain models.
2. Determine the kind of shredder that will meet the needs of your classroom, taking into consideration how many people will be using it, what kinds of material will be shredded, the amount to be shredded daily, ease of usage and durability requirements.
3. Choose the most secure shredder available. Machines that shred in ribbons or strips are not as secure as those that shred in confetti or micro-shred particles. Shredders that cut in two directions make re-assembly of documents difficult and are considered extra secure.
4. Test drive one or two of your favorite shredders vicariously by reading reviews from other consumers. Do they shred plastic, cardboard, laminated sheets or paper items decorated in crayon, glue or glitter? Will they self-destruct if a paper clip or staple is accidentally left on a document? Does the unit have a reverse mode which helps during jams and is there an auto shut off so the unit won’t overheat during one of those jams?

Tips & Warnings

• While there are several Web sites that review and/or sell shredders, a few also offer video demonstrations of different units and are worth investigating.

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