Home security is an important topic to discuss with your children. It teaches them how to keep themselves safe and helps them understand the importance of taking care of their home and belongings. When teaching kids about home security, it’s important to avoid frightening them or creating any fear around being in the home. Instead, reassure them that you’re going to teach them some important security measures to keep them safe without any immediate danger. Here are five key lessons to impart about home security.
Lesson 1: Create a Routine for Securing the Home
One of the best ways to teach kids about home security is by creating a routine for securing the home. This could include ensuring doors and windows are locked before leaving, checking that all appliances are turned off, and making sure that lights are off when not in use. By involving your children in these tasks, they will learn the importance of being thorough and responsible when it comes to keeping their homes secure.
Lesson 2: Create Clear Rules About Minimising Risk
Another important lesson to teach children about home security is the importance of minimising risk. This could include setting clear rules about not opening the door to strangers, not sharing personal information with unknown individuals, and keeping valuables out of sight. By establishing these rules, your children will learn how to make smart decisions when it comes to their safety and security.
To ensure the safety of your home, it’s essential to establish some protection rules and ensure everyone in the family understands them. Here are some recommended guidelines to teach your children to help reduce the risk of a break-in:
- Keep house keys in a safe place, away from windows and doors.
- Avoid leaving house keys or garage remotes in the car.
- Do not share your home address with strangers or people you do not trust.
- Do not leave the house if you are home alone.
- Always keep doors and windows locked when you are home alone or with siblings.
- Don’t post about being home alone on social media.
If remembering the rules seems challenging, consider writing them down and posting them on the fridge or another prominent spot—just not by the front door.
Lesson 3: Make Sure They Know How to Use the Home Security Alarm System
If your home has a security alarm system, teaching your children how to use it properly is crucial. Show them where the control panel is located and how to arm and disarm the system. Make sure they know the code and understand that it should never be shared with anyone.
Furthermore, you can also establish a “code word” with your children that they can use in case of an emergency situation. This way, if someone forces them to disable the alarm or open the door, they can give you this code word as a signal for help without alerting the intruder.
Lesson 4: Have a Plan in Place for a Possible Break-In When They Are Unsupervised
In addition to reducing the risk of a break-in, it’s essential to have a plan for what to do if they’re home alone and feel unsafe. Consider these rules:
- Don’t answer the door for strangers or anyone unfamiliar.
- Always lock security doors while inside.
- If someone suspicious is outside, call a neighbour for help and let them know you feel unsafe.
- If someone tries to break in, lock yourself in a safe place and dial 000.
Lesson 5: Have an Emergency Plan in Place
Finally, have an emergency plan in place for any unexpected situations. Teach your children what to do in case of a fire, natural disaster, or medical emergency. Make sure they know who to call and where to go for help.
Overall, it’s important to involve children in discussions about home security and regularly review safety measures with them. By teaching them at a young age, they will develop good habits that will keep them safe now and in the future. Remember to always speak calmly and reassuringly when discussing these topics with your children and encourage them to ask questions if they feel uncertain about anything related
Conclusion
Teaching your kids about home security not only enhances their safety but also boosts your home’s overall security and fosters greater independence and responsibility. For ultimate peace of mind in protecting your family, consider installing Crimsafe Screens and Doors. North Coast Blinds & Security is your local Sunshine Coast Crimsafe Licensed Manufacturer. Our friendly team of experts are here to help with your needs.
Want to know how secure your home is? Take the Crimsafe Secure Quiz HERE and let us know how you went.