School’s out! How to store your two-way radios over the summer holidays

14 July 2026

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As the school year comes to an end and classrooms begin to empty, your two-way radios might also be getting a well-earned break.

For many schools and colleges, radios play an important role throughout the academic year – helping staff stay connected, supporting day-to-day operations and enabling teams to communicate quickly across the site.

But before your radios are packed away for the summer holidays, taking a few simple steps can help protect your equipment and make sure it’s ready to go when staff and students return in September.

1. Give your radios a clean

After a busy school year, radios and accessories can collect dust, dirt and everyday grime.

Before storing your equipment, give each radio a gentle clean and check around buttons, screens and connection points. Always follow the manufacturer’s recommended cleaning guidance and avoid using unsuitable chemicals or excessive moisture.

It’s also a good opportunity to clean accessories such as earpieces and remote speaker microphones.

2. Check your batteries

Battery performance can deteriorate over time, particularly if batteries are repeatedly allowed to fully discharge or are stored incorrectly for extended periods.

Before the summer break, check the condition of your radio batteries and identify any that are struggling to hold their charge or last throughout the school day.

Avoid leaving batteries completely flat for long periods and make sure your equipment is stored in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.

If your radios are no longer lasting a full shift, the summer holidays are an ideal time to consider replacement batteries.

3. Switch off and organise your chargers

If your charging equipment isn’t required during the holidays, switch it off and unplug it.

Keep chargers, cables and power supplies together in a safe place so they’re easy to locate when staff return.

This is also a good time to check the charging equipment for any visible signs of damage or wear.

4. Store your radios somewhere safe and dry

Where you store your radios matters.

Choose a secure, cool and dry location away from direct sunlight, excessive heat and moisture. Avoid leaving equipment on windowsills, near heating systems or in areas where it could be damaged during summer maintenance work.

Keeping your radios together in a designated storage area can also help prevent equipment from going missing before the start of the new term.

5. Check for damage and missing accessories

Missing belt clips? Damaged antennas? Faulty earpieces?

Don’t wait until the first day of term to find out there’s a problem.

Take a quick inventory of your equipment before the summer break and identify any radios or accessories that need attention.

The quieter summer period can be an ideal opportunity to arrange repairs, servicing or replacing equipment without disrupting day-to-day school operations.

Make September one less thing to worry about

We know the start of a new academic year is busy.

A quick radio check before the summer holidays can help ensure your communication equipment is protected, organised and ready for September.

At Apex Radio Systems, we have over 35 years of experience supporting organisations with reliable two-way radio communication solutions.

From repairs and servicing to replacement batteries, accessories and additional radios, our team is here to help you get ready for the new academic year.