As a parent, we want to ensure that our home is safe and secure 24/7. Having reliable home security installed in our houses is paramount. Doing so assures us that our valuables – and most especially our kids – are safe.
Finding reputable locksmiths in Los Angeles who can help with the setup and rekeying is crucial because we want to make sure that these systems are properly installed. The assurance that our locks and security systems were installed by expert locksmiths gives us peace of mind.
Teaching your kids about home security, how to operate it, and what to do in case of emergencies is not only practical but is also necessary.
Burglars look at four factors when they establish their targets and plan their entry: home occupancy, ease of access, surveillance, and security systems. According to Alarm Systems reports, Only 17% of homes in the U.S. have a security system installed. Homes without security systems are three times more likely to be victims of a home burglary.
Repeat burglaries may also happen based on these factors, and sixty percent of repeat burglaries occur within 30 days after the first offense. Aside from keeping everyone safe, this is one of the top reasons why we want to bolster all security measures, which includes educating our kids on these matters. If we don’t prevent the first offense, we might suffer another break-in.
Contrary to popular belief, 65% of home burglaries occur in the day. The most common hours for a burglary to happen is between the hours of 10 am and 3 pm – within normal office hours.
Emergencies can happen at any time. It can be scary when an emergency strikes while we’re away from our kids. Making sure that your kids understand how home security works will help them and your whole family stay safe and secure. Help them understand how important it is to be vigilant and to be on guard constantly, especially when they’re alone at home. These learnings are things they’ll bring with them when they grow up. It also teaches them that the family’s safety is a shared responsibility.
Keep Doors and Windows Locked to Deter Burglars
Teach kids to always keep the doors locked. A door that’s open with no person in sight is an invitation for burglars to enter your home, snoop around, steal valuables, and get out quickly.
Windows and doors are the most common entry points for burglars, so it is vital to teach kids to always make sure the doors and windows are locked – especially if they’re home alone.
According to the FBI, a typical timeframe for a burglary is between 2 to 12 minutes. They break into homes undetected, take something of value, and leave quickly. Most burglars use ordinary household tools to break into someone’s house; sometimes they use brute force to get through a door or a window. A broken door or loose door locks make things easier for them.
Kids may not always remember to lock the door so we need to develop this habit of automatically locking the doors right after they get in or out. Doors and windows are the primary means for criminals to get into your house. Teach them to keep the doors and windows locked when they’re at home.
Keep your home and your kids safe from strangers
According to FBI reports, a typical burglar lives within a 2-mile radius from the victim’s house, and may, in fact, even know their victims. They tend to target homes with unsuspecting families whom they deem to be trusting.
Teaching your kids not to interact with people they don’t know and to unapologetically arm a home system on their own when they’re alone not only minimizes cases of burglary but also of kidnapping. Kids often fail to comprehend the gravity of these situations, so walk them through what they should do in these instances.
For example, tell your child that if someone they don’t know says that “they need to pick up something for mom/dad,” the child should not open the door and call the emergency number instead.
Know what to do in an emergency
You may not always be at home with the kids. As a parent, knowing that you have a reliable home security system, as well as kids who are sharp enough to know how to operate it in case of emergency, is crucial for everyone’s safety.
If you run safety drills with your kids on what to do in case of various emergencies such as fire, accidents, or break-ins, they would be able to follow this like clockwork and know which authorities to contact for help. A list of emergency numbers, names, and addresses can be taped on the fridge or any place that’s accessible. It works best to let your kids memorize this information.
Operate home security systems
It is each family member’s responsibility to understand the importance of a home security system and how to operate it in times of emergencies. Kids should understand how the system works. You’ll want to teach them how to arm and disarm these home systems during your drills. Ask them to memorize passwords if needed, or have the passwords written on a piece of paper and place it somewhere that’s easy for them to find.
When doing drills, ensure you have an evacuation plan in case there is an emergency. It is the parents’ responsibility to teach and implement these strategies at home and not wait for the kids to learn these things at school.
Every parent needs the assurance that their kids are safe. While locksmiths can help install the locks, alarms, and security systems that help secure our homes, educating our children about home safety should go with it. Teaching your kids these steps also makes them aware that keeping the family safe is everyone’s duty and responsibility.
