BACK TO SCHOOL
New school supplies are inside of backpacks and summer reading lists are complete. Now it’s time to get back to business – school is back in session. Whether your child is entering kindergarten or their last year of high school, back to school time is always exciting. A new school year means meeting a new teacher and making new friends. For some older children, it also can mean getting home before mom and dad.
According to the American Red Cross, as a general rule, no child under the age of eight should be left home alone for any extended period of time. Children age 10 or above or in the fifth grade are often mature enough to go home by themselves after school. As a parent, you’ll want to make sure your child is prepared to be alone for a few hours and that your home is safe for them to do so.
Practice getting home alone before school starts
Review basic safety rules with your child before the first day of school. Have them check in with a parent when they arrive home. Make sure your child has the cell phone and work numbers of mom and dad as well other trusted adults if they need help and you are not available. Once they are inside of the house, have them immediately lock the door behind them. They are never to answer the door for anyone except for trusted adults and never tell anyone they are home alone. Also, make rules as to having friends in the house and if they are allowed to use the stove or oven.
Make sure your child knows how to call 911 in case of an emergency. Also, devise a code word for them to use in the event they need help. Teach your children never to go inside of their home
if something seems amiss, such as an open door, smoke or fire or an apparent break-in.
Home Security
Your home security system can also provide parents with information as to when their child gets home. Some of the newer security panels send a text or email with the time the system was disarmed and a photo of the person who disarmed it. When your child gets home, you’ll know it. If you worry about your child losing your house key, have a smart lock door handle installed. To
enter the house, simply punch in the code and the door will unlock. Some of the newer security panels have geofencing capabilities, location-based technologies that use GPS locators on cell phones. You can program the system for a variety of tasks. For example, as your child (with a cellphone) reaches the outside of your house, the alarm system would disarm, the door would unlock and if needed, lights would be turned on. Once inside the door would again be locked automatically. You would also be notified via text or email that your child is home.
Many other systems without geofencing allow you to lock the doors to your home using your cellphone. You can also use your phone to live-stream security camera video and arm/disarm
the security system. Other things parents can do to help their child arrive home safely. Talk to trusted neighbors, family members or friends to let them know your child will be going home from school by themselves. This way they can check up on your child occasionally. Keep medications, weapons, matches and lighters locked up. Keep an emergency phone list in a prominent place.
Teach them what to do in an emergency situation and practice the plan.
Delco Alarm System professionals can assist you in securing your home and providing you with the tools to keep your family safe. For more information contact us at 610-494-9100.