7 TIPS FOR THE END OF SCHOOL HOLIDAYS THAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS
Does the end of the school holidays mean the end of home security?
Read our tips and tricks to keep your home secure and your kids safe this term
SEPTEMBER HAILS THE END OF THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AS THE KIDS HEAD BACK TO THE CLASSROOM.
7 TIPS FOR THE END OF SCHOOL HOLIDAYS THAT EVERY PARENT NEEDS
Whether you’re heaving a sigh of relief or feeling emotional as you wave your little ones off, you’re not alone. The school holidays are over and normal routines resume.
Houses are left emptier for longer periods. Parents will be feeling apprehensive as their older children arrive home to an empty house. Amidst the PE kits and new stationary sets, have you considered how the new term will affect your home security? At Keybury, it’s our business to bring your Peace of Mind so we’re here with 5 lessons in keeping your family safe and your home secure.
1. USE YOUR ALARM – NOW THE SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ARE OVER, IT’S NOT JUST EARLY MORNING ALARMS THAT YOU’LL NEED!
Are The Kids Home Safe?
Parents can see when their children arrive home from school with an intruder alarm with remote setting app. You can even recieve an alert! You can unset the alarm for them from your phone or add a code for temporary babysitters. Did you give your teenager their own set of keys for the new term? You may want an extra setting tag them too.
2. HELP YOUR KIDS STAY SAFE WHEN THEY’RE HOME ALONE
Home Alone – Are They Safe?
Teach your children how to use the intruder alarm – if they don’t already know. Make sure they know how to set and unset the system. Show them how to use the panic button (if you have one) in case of an emergency.
Make sure your child knows NOT to go into the house if they come home to signs of a break-in, such as broken glass, an open door or a sounding alarm. Instead they should go to a trusted neighbour for help. You can rest assured that you would immediately be alerted to intruders with a monitored alarm system. This eliminates concern that your child might be the first one on the scene.
3. LISTEN TO EACH ALARM
What Would Your Child Do In An Emergency?
Listen to each alarm – the burglar alarm, the smoke or fire alarm and the carbon monoxide alarm so that your child will recognise each one. Talk to them about what to do in response to each one sounding. Regularly testing your fire and smoke alarms is recommended and means that your child will recognise this sound. It also means you know it’s working! Make an emergency plan for a fire: Remember “Get Out, Stay Out, Get the Fire Brigade out”.
4. USE HOME CCTV FOR YOUR FAMILY’S SAFETY
SEE That They’re Safe
Cameras with remote viewing enable you to view your property throughout the day. You can check in on your home using an app on your phone whether you’re at your desk, doing the ‘big shop’ or in a meeting. There’s a huge range in what CCTV systems are available. Some systems give notifications when a certain line is crossed. This alerts you to unwanted visitors but also lets you know when your children are home. CCTV is repeatedly listed as one of the best deterrents to would-be burglars.
5. PLAN A ROUTE TOGETHER
Where Is Your Teenager?
Decide on an agreed route so that you know where your child is expected to be and you know that the route they’re taking is as safe as possible. Pedestrians cannot hear other people or cars around them whilst listening to headphones. Instead encourage your teen to walk with friend. Avoiding abandoned areas and minimising road crossing are all ways to make the school commute safer.
6. AGREE AN EXPECTED HOME TIME
When Will They Be Home?
If you and your child can agree an expected time to arrive home this will save a lot of worry. It means you know when to expect the home security app to notify you that the alarm is switched off or that someone has reached the front door. No notification from your home security app will alert you to any potential problem long before you arrive home to an empty house. A phone may be useful, to text “Mum, I’m home” or perhaps use a family locator app. It isn’t advised to use social media to “Check in”, as others may be able to see that your child is ‘home alone’. Talk to your child about when sharing their location is and isn’t appropriate. Check social media settings together to ensure that Snapchat or Insta posts aren’t giving away more than you – or they – realise.
7. STAYING SAFE AT HOME
Strangers Are Still A Danger!
You’ve probably been over this. Teenagers are out and about with more time on their hands in the school holidays and by this age you’ve probably said ‘don’t talk to strangers’ 100s of times. It is still worth revisiting ‘stranger danger’– even with teenagers. Online stranger danger is an important part of this talk, including using social media safely. They also need to know where to go for help. Ensure your children have your phone number in case they to contact you. If possible, speak to a trusted neighbour to be on hand in an emergency. Arrange for them to have someone and somewhere to go to if they need help. Remind your children the door must be locked when they arrive home – and keep it locked; don’t let anyone in.
