4 Back-to-School Home Security Tips to Help Ensure Your Kids Are Safe

It sure seems like summer flew by, and now it’s time for school to start back up again. As you prepare to send your young ones back to school, it is important to add one more thing to your to-do list: home security.

If your children are going to be spending time alone after school until you get home from work, then home security is particularly important. Even if it’s just 30 minutes to an hour, a lot can happen in that short period of time. To ensure that your children are safe when they enter an empty house, here are a few home security tips to keep in mind.

1. Teach Your Children to Remain Aware of Their Surroundings

It is very important that you take the time to teach your children that they should never enter the home if something looks amiss. This could really be anything, such as an open door, broken window, torn window screen or even a ladder set up on the side of the house. Let your children know that if they come home to something like this, they need to go to a neighbor's house or a nearby business immediately and call you. 

2. Replace Old and Weak Locks 

It’s easy for burglars to enter your home if you have an old or weak lock on your door. A good kick-in or a drill can easily allow someone access to your home. That’s why it’s crucial that you ensure your locks are adequate at protecting the contents of your home as well as your family.

Ultimately, the best type of lock that you can get is a Grade 1 dead bolt lock, but you also need to ensure that the strike plate is made of durable metal. For added security, the strike plate and hinges should be secured with three-inch screws.

3. Create a Plan for Lost Keys 

You have probably lost your keys at some point, and there is a good chance that your children are going to lose theirs as well — regardless of how responsible they are. Unfortunately, lost keys create a serious security risk for your home.

The last thing that you want to do is to keep a spare key hidden under the welcome mat or a flower pot on the front porch. After all, these are the first places that burglars will look. Instead, you can keep a spare key with a trustworthy neighbor, or you can consider having a keyless entry system installed on your property.

4. Have a Modern Security System Installed 

If you do not currently have a home security system installed in your home, then it is imperative that you get one. This security system enhances the safety of your children immensely. While a standard system will emit a sound when someone enters the home, a modern system has additional functions that can come in handy for parents with children who are going to be at home alone.

For example, one such function is a remote alert that allows passwords to be created for each child. You will be alerted when a password is entered into the system, which allows you to know when each child gets home. There are many other features available, including video monitoring, a panic button and automatic relocking of the front door.

If you are interested in learning more about a modern security system or a keyless entry system, then Southern California Security Centers is happy to help provide answers to any questions or concerns that you may have, so please  contact  our professional staff today.