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All over the country kids are making their way back into school. For some this brings joy, and for others dread. Either way, as a parent there are some tips you can familiarize yourself with to keep your kids safe. Here are the Top 4 Back-to-School Home Security Tips provided by SimpliSafe Home Security.

4 Back-to-School Home Security Tips

  1. Plan Your Route – Whether you’re walking your child to the bus stop or school, plan the most direct path with the least street crossings, and if available, intersections with crossing guards. Include your child in the planning process and instruct him or her to obey all traffic lights, signs, and crossing guards. Also remind your kids to stay clear of vacant lots, fields, parked cars, and any other area where there aren’t many people around.
  2. Numbers They Must Memorize – Providing your child with his or her home phone number can play out to be crucial in the event of an emergency. Supply your child with a home phone number, home address, your work number, the number of another trusted adult you can count on, and how to call 911 for emergencies.
  3. After-School Home Security – Most kids come back to an empty home after school. Make a checklist of safety information for them: Remind them never let anyone into the house; to keep all doors locked; and set the alarm system if you have one. SimpliSafe’s wireless home security systemsoffer instant alert features that will send you an SMS text informing you when your child arrives at your home and lets you know if they’ve set the alarm. SimpliSafe also offers systems with complete interactive control, so you can arm your alarm system if one of your kids forget to set it. On top of that, SimpliSafe offers a “secret alert” function that gives you notification anytime a specific sensor is tripped. For example: gun cases, alcohol, or medicine cabinets.
  4. The Dangers of Curiosity – Kids are curious creatures, but it’s important to teach them when NOT to explore. For example: If your kids come home to find a open door, shattered window, or a torn screen, instruct your kids to walk away from the house to a neighbor or local business and contact you immediately. Most of us, kids or adults, would be drawn to figure out what happened if we see a broken window, but the last thing you want is for your child to surprise a burglar in the act of robbing your home.

For additional safety tips, use the Back-to-School Safety Checklist provided by The National Safety Council to review important safety procedures to make sure your children are fully prepared for the school year.

There’s more we can all do to educate our kids on staying safe, but these five tips provided by SimpliSafe Home Security Systems are a good start to a lifelong conversation about safety.

Earnest Parenting: help for parents who want to keep their kids safe.

Image courtesy of Lester Public Library via Creative Commons license, some rights reserved.