Each year, millions of adults buy to keep their families safe. However, in many cases, they fail to realize that even with these security measures in place, children need to be taught the basics of home security in order to keep themselves safe as well. When children learn home security rules, they will not only understand the importance of staying safe when an adult is not present, but they will feel more confident about what to do when strangers approach the home.
Many adults don’t always discuss home security because they think they might frighten children, but Irene van der Zande, founder of the child safety website Kidpower, believes that children can handle knowing the basics.
Children need to understand that there are different safety rules when they are not in the care of an adult and they are on their own. Children who are only a short distance away from an adult in charge even for a few minutes are on their own. They don’t need to worry. They just need to know what to do.”
Staying safe at home begins with children understanding the basic rules of both home security and how to deal with strangers. Studies show that children who have been taught about home security are on average more confident and less anxious about strangers than those whose parents are too afraid to discuss the issue. In order to make sure that kids understand these basic rules, parents should sit down with them and let them know that while not every stranger they see is out to do them harm, they should always be aware of potential dangers, especially if they are home alone for a short period of time. Creating a family plan for safety will teach them how to stay safe without having to resort to stories about kidnapped children, which will only make them anxious or frightened.
Parents who invest in a should not only teach children how it works, but they should also teach them how to operate locks on all windows and doors in the home. This will not only keep them safe when they are home alone, it will also allow them to disarm the system and unlock doors during an emergency. Rules about opening doors for people, whether the child knows them or not, should also be in place. By learning and understanding home security rules, children will feel more secure and present less of a target by those who would do them harm.
Tim Eveler
Author & Public Relations – Tim has been working in sales for the home security system industry over twelve years. He’s held positions at large home security companies and in charge of working with the team to create our security system reviews.