Home security is something that most adult homeowners worry about, and to curb this, they often take action. It can be installing a security system, upgrading locks or adding automatic light sensors. Sure, adults know their way around home security; they should also be teaching kids about home security. Keeping them away from this vital information will protect their children from the anxiety around alarm systems and the constant fear of a home invasion or robbery.
Instead of protecting them from this information, you can teach them about home security monitoring, as it will prove to be an important life lesson. In addition, most of the break-ins occur during summer, which is when children are free from school and home alone. We agree that there are various things you can do to reduce the burglary risk, but it is equally essential to teach them good home security practices so that they can protect themselves in an emergency.
When you teach your younger children and teenagers about home safety, it will definitely empower them, but you should make sure that you share the right information in the right way. This blog will talk about the top 5 essential things your child must know and how to teach about home security without scaring them off. Implement them in your home to help all family members to be safer and secure even when left alone. Here, we have shared some non-threatening ways to teach specific information based upon the age and maturity of your child. You can use your discretion and begin with simple explanations building up to more complicated ideas. Let us get started:
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How to Work the Home’s Alarm Monitoring system
Parents should definitely invest in an efficient 24 hours home security system to help monitor the security of their homes against various emergencies. The alarm monitoring system sensor alerts on notification to a monitoring centre where operators are available 24/7 for dispatching emergency personnel who quickly respond to triggered sensors or detectors, environmental hazards or break-ins.
One of the most common and effective methods to secure homes is a home security system with an automated home alarm system. Emergency crews respond to emergencies quickly. The technology sounds advanced. Teaching kids how to use it appropriately should be simple as today’s children are more familiar with technology than parents realise.
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The Purpose of First Responders
Your child might be young, but they will soon grasp the concept that people are there to help in every emergency. Therefore, your goal should be to prepare a child without teaching them to be fearful. Explain to a child the idea that there are adults who are available to help in case of emergencies.
Be sure to spell out exactly what an emergency might be, so they are not calling the first responder’s number for any non-emergency reason. You can make a list of potential scenarios of why they may want to call that number. It can be theft, flood, fire, parents being non-responsive, or any other similar situations.
While explaining to them about emergency services, make sure you add that they will need to leave the house if there is a fire, and sometimes they might have to stay put, such as theft or robbery. We would recommend you make emergency calls so that they know what people will ask of them, including their name, address, age, and a general description of the problem. Do not start panicking if your child can’t seem to remember your address. The dispatcher will be able to tell where the call originated from.
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Locking Up & Alarm Setting
When a child gets older, they should learn about the significance of locking up even when they are at home. Therefore, it is important to teach them how to lock the doors windows and close the garage door. This will allow them to learn that your home needs protection at any cost.
You should also teach your teens and tweens how home security alarm systems work so that they can arm and disarm them whenever necessary. Most teens have the experience of handling and remembering a password as they have so many devices that they run in similar ways. Also, remind them they should share or write down the password.
Oftentimes, the home security system goes off, which is when a phone call from the monitoring station will take place. Teach them how to handle the call and explain the situation.
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Set some ground rules – with reminders
Your family should have a particular role that every child should understand for everyday safety. Post these rules in your home and have frequent check-ins to ensure the children are remembering and following the rules. Some good safety rules to have are:
-Don’t give out your address unless your parents say it is fine
-Don’t leave the house if you are home alone
-Keep all the doors locked every time home alone or with your siblings
-Don’t post ‘home alone’ status to social media sites
-Don’t lend your key to anyone for any reason unless your parents have specifically told you to do so.
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Discuss Strangers at the Door
Regardless of your child’s age, you should make them aware that anyone coming to the door might not have good intentions; therefore, you should remind them to ask an adult to get the door and not allow anyone other than family to come inside without permission.
Security alarms and video surveillance help parents and family members rest assured that whoever is at the door will be visible, allowing them to see their visitor before they open the door.
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Have home emergency plans in place
This is important for the whole family. You can conduct a family meeting to discuss what to do in case of an emergency situation. Go over fire safety, where the first aid kit and emergency kids are at home, and how to make an emergency call. Also, run through drills of what everyone should do in case of an earthquake, disaster or fire. You can also make a quiz game out of relevant information to ensure your kids have all the information they need to have.
These are some of the things your child(ren) should know about the home’s security.
Conclusion–
No matter what age category your children fall into, they need to play an active role in keeping your home secure. Therefore, as parents, it is your responsibility to enlighten them with relevant information.