Safety on Social Media When Going on Vacation
Watch What You Share On Social Media Platforms Safety when posting on social media when going on vacation should always be at the forefront of everyone’s mind. Once again, school gets in session and there are many holidays that follow. There is Columbus Day, which has a three-day weekend for some; Thanksgiving; and Christmas, which can have a week or more of vacation. Each one of those holidays is about a month apart and takes a lot of planning. Starting with Columbus Day, many families will take a small three-day vacation to catch their breath from all the hustle and bustle of life. Some might go camping for the last time or just go to a family spa resort for some downtime. Thanksgiving and Christmas are two of the biggest holidays where you have families that are traveling to see other families, whether it be in another town or in a different state. As much fun as we have during all three holidays, we have to be careful of what we post on social media. So many people look to social media as a way to communicate to their friends and families. While that is a good idea, it is also a good place for a burglar to grasp that your home is not being protected by another person or remote security monitoring. This is why safety on social media while on vacation is such a major issue. Social Media Tips for Protecting Your Home As a homeowner who loves social media, what can you do to protect your home from anything happening? Many of us, while on vacation, will try not to use our social media so we can have family time. However, we know that does always work. Some things to do include not going on at all, uninstalling certain apps from your phone that could peg your location if you have a Smartphone, or not bringing your phone at all. We all know that last one is impossible since your phone is also a way to keep you safe. You can also use your phone for remote security monitoring of your home through a special app. Here are some tips to help you out: 1. Go on Vacation Quietly Don’t broadcast on social media that you are leaving. Many of us going on vacation like to announce when and where we are going to be, but that’s just not a good idea. We like to be able to go on social media to get feedback on certain activities or events that are going on in the area we are vacationing. Safety on social media when going on vacation is always a priority for most families and doesn’t have to limit your good time, if you follow some simple rules of thumb. When you and your family are on vacation, don’t post any information or pictures until you get home. If you are making post on social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other sites, burglars can use much of that information as a target to your home. 2. Stay Safe On Social Media When Going On Vacation If you feel the need to post on social media, think about who can see your accounts. Make changes to secure your profile. Currently Smartphones come with GPS trackers, so if you have it on, it would be in your best interest to switch it off. This setting usually exists under location settings in your phone. Staying safe on social media when on vacation should always be a priority. When your mail gets backed up because you can’t get to it for a week, your home becomes a target because it makes it obvious no one is there to get the mail. You can have the post office hold your mail. You can also notify your newspaper and tell them to stop delivery for the week you’re on vacation. If you don’t want to do this, make sure a friend, neighbor, or family member can get your mail everyday. You may also want to consider putting your lights on a timer and ask a friend, family member, or neighbor to keep an eye on your home. If you know anyone trustworthy who will house sit, that would be great. 3. Don’t Post at All or Overpost Don’t check in to any location on your Facebook or Instagram. If you don’t want that to happen, you need to turn the location GPS off so it doesn’t automatically locate you. Plus, you don’t have to post every picture that you take while you are on vacation. Save all your photos and post the best ones when you get home. The more you upload to your accounts, the more you are leading a burglar to know that you are away. These are all great ways to stay safe on social media when going on vacation. The less you say, the more you and your home are staying safe. 4. Contact Your Security Company When you and your family are going to be away from home for an extensive period of time, contact your security company. If there is any unusual activity that comes through to your security company, they will get in contact with you and you can verify that it is someone that you know at your home. 5. Opt for Remote Security Monitoring You are going to feel a lot better if you can keep an eye on your home while you’re away. You can keep track of your security system and even video surveillance through your smartphone on vacation so that you know everything is okay. As we start planning our upcoming holiday vacations, let’s take a few minutes to think about what we want to come home to. We could either come home to a place that was well-kept and watched over by someone that is responsible or we could come home to our place being broken into. It all leads to what you post on social
What Can Security Cameras See?
The Answer Isn’t As Simple As You Might Think We live in a time where home security is everything. With the high number of break-ins that have been occurring all over the country while homeowners have been at work, vacation, or simply running a few errands, it is important to make sure the home is secure. Security cameras can help protect your home or business. Some homeowners have experienced break-ins while at home and this can make for a very scary experience. Imagine being at home watching television or sleeping and then suddenly being met with a burglar. Nothing is ever the same after such an experience. If a break-in occurs, a security system alarm can run them off before they get any further. Most of the time, the presence of the alarm serves as a deterrent for a burglar. They are looking for homes that don’t have home security systems. They are especially looking for the presence of home security cameras. Benefits of Home Security Cameras There are a number of benefits to home security cameras that you should be aware of. They are: They keep the bad guys away – Just the sight of an outdoor security camera will help keep the home from being a target. There is a good chance that a burglar will case a home before they rob it. If a camera is spotted, they will most likely have a change of heart, if you want to call it that. Evidence – Home security cameras record footage that can be used as evidence to help the police capture the burglar. The footage can also be used to recover the stolen items. Keep track of family – You can access your cameras remotely so that you can keep an eye on your kids or any elderly relatives that are in the home. Check in on Fido – If you have pets in the house, remotely accessing your cameras is a great way to see how your pets are doing. Dogs, especially, can get into some mischief. You can see exactly how your pet passes their time. Save money on homeowner’s insurance – When there are cameras present in and around the home, your insurance company will love it. It is possible to save 15% or 20% on your insurance rates just by taking this step to deter theft. Peace of mind – You get the peace of mind that you and your family will be safe and that you have a lesser chance of having to track down your belongings. As you can see, there are many benefits to having home security cameras in and around your home. The Legalities of Recording People Of course, you have the right to record people who come onto your property. That right is further enhanced by the fact the video cameras are visible. This tells them that they are being recorded. If they don’t want to be on video, then they shouldn’t step foot on the property. In regards to audio, there are states that require dual consent before a person is recorded speaking. Fortunately, New York is not one of those states and that means that the presence of the camera is enough. Of course, there are going to be legal issues if a camera is placed in the bathroom, but no person who wants to secure their home is going to ask the security company to do such a thing anyway. The cameras can be placed around the exterior doors of the home and in areas like the kids’ playroom, living room, and the area inside the outside doors so that if an intruder comes in, they can be taped coming into the home from the inside. Of course, SPS Fire & Security will advise you on what you can and can’t do and the best places to locate your home security cameras. What Exactly Can Cameras See? Hi-definition video is important because you want the clearest picture possible. You have probably seen video footage from convenience stores and banks on the news that is grainy. The higher quality the camera, the better the footage. Nonetheless, a camera can see who is coming in and out of the home, what they are holding in their hands, people who come to the door and knock, and even license plate numbers if the camera is pointed to the area where people park in front of the home. From a burglar’s face and what they take out of the home to the car they are driving and the license plate number can be recorded. Turn to SPS Fire & Security for Protection SPS Fire & Security integrates state-of-the-art technology into your home or business so that you are protected. We serve homes and businesses in the Rochester, Syracuse, and Buffalo areas of New York. To learn more about how we can help you, call us at 585-770-0348 for a free consultation.
You’ve Had a Break In, Now What?
Protect Yourself from Future Break-Ins Now that you have had a break in, what are your options? You could continue to be the person you are and not look into having more safety precautions or you can look into your local security company to get a security alarm to better protect your home. If you continue to think that your dog is going to protect your house now that you have had your break in, you may be putting yourself at risk. Many people after having their property invaded are going to look into where the burglar broke in, what they stole, why they broke in, and what made them choose the house. Those are questions many people will ask themselves before jumping to other options. A burglar may have broken into windows that are within reach, such as a downstairs bathroom, bedroom or a sliding glass door. In that case the options that you could look into would be to get security sensors or check out the locks on the windows or doors to see if they are damaged. In addition, there are hundreds of individuals that live in communities where the crime rate for burglary happens to be low. Since the rate is down, many residences don’t feel like they need to be locking their doors to their home or cars. One home burglary in your community better be a sign to start protecting your home. How Are You Going To Protect Your Home Now That You Have Had A Break In? The main questions now that your property has been the victim, is what are you going to do to protect you and your family? Are you going to continue to live in the world where you think that you are ok to do exactly what you did before all this happened? Or are you going to step up your game for the next time that a burglar decides that your home is once again their target? Are you going to invest in a security system that has all the protection you need, such as sensors for your windows and doors, video surveillance, motion detectors, and better locks for your doors? Those are all of the things that you need to think about. Now if you think that security alarms are very costly, you need to think about how many times you’ve taken your dog to the vet. The amount of money that you put into your dog is the same amount you could put into your home. When looking into getting the proper system for your home, the best results would be to have a technician come to your property to talk with you about what it is that you are looking for and how much it would cost. You could start out little and, once you think that you need to get more protection for your family and home, you can add more. If you have kids, you definitely should be protecting the home while your kids are there. Your kids are a blessing and you don’t ever want something to happen to them. So when your children get off the bus, and they are allowed to stay home for a little while, you as a parent would like to protect them and, at the same time, know what they are doing. You as a parent can get video surveillance or sensors that monitor when your kids get home and when they lock the front door. Having an alarm when your kids are home is always a good idea, especially if your home has ever been broken into. Your kids might not feel safe to be there alone anymore if that has happened, but knowing that there is an alarm to protect them with make it easier. And here is something else to think about: Was your home broken into because you were a good target through a friend or a kid’s friend? Many times a burglar is someone that is in contact with a person that knows you or your family. Perhaps you have expensive jewelry, such as a wedding ring or another piece of jewelry, that is of value to you. Perhaps you had to do the dishes and set your rings aside. If you forget to put them back on, they are now sitting in your home. How would you feel if your valuable wedding ring that your spouse gave you on your special wedding day was stolen? It would be devastating. Do you lock up jewelry you aren’t wearing? Even if you do, there is still the potential that your jewelry and any other valuables could be stolen. What Is Your Next Step to Protect Your Home? Contact A Security Company Set up an appointment for a technician to come take a look at your home. The technician will talk about the different packages they offer. Explain to them what has happened to you and your home. They will talk with you about the equipment and what best suits you. How Much Are You Willing to Invest in Your Home? What you invest in your home says a lot about how much you are willing to protect your home. The more you put in the more you will be protecting. When choosing a security package for you home, always think about the important things you are trying to protect. Check Locks On Windows and Door Double check all locks on windows and doors. Replace any that are not working properly, especially when you are away from home for any amount of time, lock windows and doors. Never leave a key or code in any hidden place outside the house for someone to see. Don’t even do it if it is for your kids. If they cannot remember the code for the system or the home key, chances are they aren’t mature or responsible enough to stay home alone. Once The Alarm Is in, Monitor Daily Activity Monitoring daily activity through
Avoid these 10 Common Home Security Mistakes
Could Your Security Be Compromised? You want to ensure your home is as safe as possible because any home can be burglarized at any time. Even if you’re not home when it happens, a burglary can shatter your sense of security. When your sense of security is compromised, it is nearly impossible to feel safe in your home. That’s why it’s good to have a security service outfit your home with a system that suits your needs, such as protection against intruders, fire, and carbon monoxide. In the meantime, there are some common home security mistakes to avoid. Be Vigilant about Home Security It is important to be vigilant at all times when it comes to your home security. You should feel safe at home, not like anyone can come through the door at any time and threaten your family or your belongings. Below are 10 common home security mistakes to be aware of: 1. Hiding Your House Key Under a Doormat Even amateur burglars know to check under doormats or rocks that are near the door. They may even check the potted plants. If you need someone to come into your home while you’re not there, it is good to coordinate with them beforehand or leave a key with a trusted neighbor. 2. Leaving a Ladder Out in the Open If you leave a ladder outside, that is almost welcoming someone to use it to break into a second story window. Make sure the ladder is in the garage and that upstairs windows are locked. 3. Using Cheap Locks You don’t want to put cheap locks on your windows and doors. Heavy-duty is the way to go. Many burglars know how to break standard locks, so you want to make breakage as difficult as possible. Even with a home security system in place, you don’t want to make breaking in too easy. 4. Forgetting to Lock Doors Forgetting to lock doors or forgetting to set your alarm system can leave the home vulnerable. The most common door people forget to lock is the garage door. It’s also one of the easiest points for a burglar to break into. All it takes is a wire coat hanger and an emergency release lever that is within the reach of that hanger. You can lock your garage door via the key lock or have a Gaplock installed. 5. Relying on Your Dog A dog that barks when someone unfamiliar is around the home is great. If the dog is loud and vicious sounding, it can scare off an intruder. Nonetheless, you should still have an alarm system and lock your doors. While your dog can sound very intimidating, they don’t usually attack people, so this means that the dog most likely won’t stop the intruder. 6. Using Fake Surveillance Cameras Dummy cameras can look real, but they’re not. Even the battery-operated cameras that have a light on them may not necessarily deter a burglar. Experienced burglars can usually tell the difference between fake and real video surveillance. Fortunately, you can buy real security cameras that you can remotely access from your smartphone so you can keep track of what’s happening. Plus, burglars think twice. 7. Inadequate Outdoor Lighting Dark areas make for great hiding places. Not having adequate lighting can make it easy for a burglar to stake out the house or hide where they can’t be seen, just waiting for an opportunity to go inside. 8. Leaving the Empty Item Boxes Outside Christmas is the prime time in which the empty boxes of expensive items find their way into the outside trash. Burglars see this and it tells them that there are expensive items in the house that are worth breaking in for. They will take the items, pawn them or sell them to others. If possible, keep the boxes inside until you can break them down and put them in trash bags or take them to a closed dumpster. 9. Posting on Social Media that You Will be Gone It can be a lot of fun to share your beach pictures while you’re at the beach, but it’s not a good idea. As secure as you think your Facebook posts may be and as trustworthy as your friends list may seem, you never know who is going to decide to take the opportunity to break into your home and take what’s yours. 10. Leaving No or One Light On While Gone Some people leave no lights on while they’re gone. Others leave only one on. A burglar who may be casing a home with one light will notice that the same light stays on at all times. This is a telltale sign that no one is home. Putting lights on a digital timer or being able to operate them remotely can enable you to make sure different lights are on every night. Keep Your Family Safe So here you have 10 common home security mistakes that you can avoid so that your home can be as safe as possible for you and your family.
A Security Alarm vs. Man’s Best Friend
Monitored Alarms vs. Dogs Take a look at the picture above. How well do you think the dog in lying in the garden is going to save that house? Chances are that that homeowner’s best friend isn’t going to hurt a fly. The chances of a dog protecting your house are slim. Many burglars that know there is going to be a dog on the property they are invading will do their research beforehand. The top three things a burglar will do before making your home the target are: drive by a number of times in a week or month to figure out what times you will be gone and for how long; figure out if there is a security alarm and, if so, where the electrical box is; and to see if your family has a dog. If there is a dog on the property, chances are the intruder is going to bring a bone or piece of meat to distract your furry friend. Top Five Reason Your Dog Is Not The Best Security System Here are the top five reasons why your dog doesn’t make the best security alarm: 1. Family Dog To Watch Dog If you are teaching your dog to protect your house, that’s great. At the same time, you could be gearing yourself up for a lawsuit. Your dog might scare off a child, but do you think it is going to scare off a burglar? Maybe not. Is it going to scare off someone who is welcome on the property, such as the mailman, UPS delivery guy or a police officer? Sure, it could at the worst time and harm a non-intruder. When that happens, you could face a major lawsuit against you. Is that something you are willing to risk? Choose wisely and make the decision to get a security alarm so the family pet can remain the family pet. 2. Dogs Need Outings Like People Your dog won’t work as an alarm if they aren’t present all the time. When your family goes on vacation and takes the family dog, that leaves your home unprotected. Your dog needs to be taken for walks and definitely likes to go for car rides. Once again, your home becomes unprotected in terms of your dog being used as a watchdog. When you have a security alarm, you are contacted by the security company if something happens while you’re away. If you feel the need, like most homeowners do, you can use your electronic devices, such as your Smartphone, to check on your home. 3. Your Dog Doesn’t Provide Camera Surveillance How does your dog tell you that one of your children’s friends stole an expensive piece of jewelry off of your night stand? The dog doesn’t. By having camera surveillance through your security alarm company, you are able to monitor your kids and your home from anywhere you are such as work, running errands, etc. If there is activity on your property and it sets the alarm off, your alarm company and the proper authorities will be contacted. If it happens at a specific time and you know that one of your kids or even a neighbor is in the home with your permission and they trigger the alarm, you can check the video and call the alarm company to let them know it was a false alarm. 4. Your Dog Gets Injured or Stolen by the Intruder When a burglar breaks into your home, they don’t want to be bothered by your dog. If your furry friend is going to be a problem for the intruder to get in and out fast, chances are they might injure your dog. If the person who is robbing your house has any knowledge of what full breed dogs are worth, they might steal the dog and try to sell it. The protection of your dog is another reason why having a security alarm is great, especially the video surveillance cameras to capture the face of the burglar if they aren’t wearing a mask. The triggering of the alarm also immediately gets the authorities involved and the video footage can be used to capture the thief. 5. Your Security Alarm Gives You a Break on Homeowner’s Insurance By having the alarm system you could be saving 5-10% on your homeowners insurance. Who doesn’t like to save money? Dog or Security Alarm? If all this talk about security alarms hasn’t convinced you, ask a professional. As pet owners, it’s important to treat our furry friends as a bigger part of the family. If anything were to happen to your dog that you could have prevented, you would feel regretful about not getting the security alarm. Security alarms not only protect your dogs and family, but also protect your home from fires, floods, carbon monoxide, and many other home-related incidents. Don’t put off calling your security company, make the decision today. Call SPS Fire & Security today at 585-770-0348 to learn about your home alarm options.
Top 10 Reasons to have a Home Security System
Every Reason Why You Should Have a Home Alarm The expense of having a home security system installed can be well worth it because not having one could cost you and your family a lot more than just money. Even if you feel that your home is not at risk of being robbed, anything can happen at any time. Those that have experienced home intrusions, whether they have been home or not, never expected it to happen. Even when not present at the time of the intrusion, their sense of safety is forever compromised. So if you don’t have an alarm system or you need to upgrade your existing system, now is a good time. Below, we explain the top 10 reasons why. 1. Protect Your Family and Home from Intruders An intruder can come into your home at any time. They may think that no one is home only to find that someone is. This can be a very frightening experience. Imagine walking downstairs for a middle of the night drink of water to find a stranger in your kitchen. Unfortunately, people have been hurt by intruders in these cases and it is a very frightening experience. A home that doesn’t have a security system is 2.7 times more likely to be targeted by thieves. The simple presence of an alarm system can be a deterrent. Even if a burglar breaks in anyway, the alarm system gives the occupants enough time to get to a safe location. Most of the time, the sounding of the alarm runs the burglar off before they can do any additional damage or cause anyone inside the home any harm. 2. Protection from Fire and Carbon Monoxide Fires can happen at any time and so can the release of carbon monoxide if you have anything in your home that uses gas as a fuel source. Home alarm systems have built-in smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors that warn the family if there is danger. But not only does your home alarm system serve as an early warning system of fire, but the fire department can be notified as well so that they can arrive at the home as soon as possible. This is the primary difference between your typical smoke detector and the smoke detector built into the alarm system – a typical smoke detector can’t signal authorities of a problem. As for carbon monoxide, it is possible for the problem to build over time and it is toxic to humans. This odorless and invisible gas can’t hide from a good carbon monoxide detector. When you are made aware that this poisonous gas is being released in your home, you can find the source and put a stop to it before the problem becomes deadly. 3. Give You and Your Family Peace of Mind With a home security system in place, you have peace of mind that you, your family, and your home will be safe. You know that your family can be protected while inside the home, that you will be properly warned if there is a fire in the home, and that you will be aware if carbon monoxide is being released. Your home is supposed to be a safe place, so it is important to ensure it is exactly that. 4. Your Valuables Are Protected This goes hand-in-hand with the home being protected from intruders. However, it goes much deeper than that. Having a home security system means not having to track down valuables. Unfortunately, many thieves will take electronics and other valuables and sell them to individuals or pawn shops. These stolen possessions can be very difficult to get back even with the help of law enforcement. 5. External Monitoring External monitoring means that you have someone else watching your home 24/7. If you have to go out of town on vacation or business, you don’t have to worry about your house not being watched. The monitoring service keeps track of what is happening and will ensure emergency services are dispatched to the home if there is a problem. You will also be notified. 6. Save Money on Homeowner’s Insurance Insurance companies love it when a home has a security system. Because the security system reduces the chances of property damage or theft, you get a discount. This discount offsets some of the cost of the home alarm system. 7. Fast Medical Assistance If you need medical assistance immediately, the alarm system has a button on it that you can push so that emergency services are notified. This can be much faster than having to make a call, especially when unable to dial or stay on the phone with 911. While this function is ideal for anyone, it is especially beneficial to the elderly or anyone with disabilities or illnesses. 8. Increase Home Value A home with a home security system is going to be worth more than it would be without one. It is also beneficial to have as many people are coming in and out of the home during the selling process. You never know when one of them may be walking through the house simply to case it. If they see the alarm system, they are most likely to take it off of their target list. 9. There are Options There are different options that you can add to a home security system. Those options include outside cameras that allow you to see what is happening outside, remote monitoring so you can see what is going on at home when you aren’t there, and even power management by being able to control thermostats and lights when you’re away. If you forget to lock the door before you leave, you can do it from wherever you are. 10. Ease of Use A home security system is also easy to use, giving you a simple way to keep your home safer. It is amazing how this one system can make a significant difference in how safe you feel
Back to School with School Bus Safety Tips
Keep Your Kids Safe All Year Believe it or not, school buses are the safest way for children to get to and from school. Each year, the bus drivers are required to give school bus safety drills for knowing how to get on or off the bus and the proper behavior during the bus ride. This is an important security measure because what makes the bus unsafe is when your child(ren) or other children on the bus are not following the safety rules for getting on and off the bus or how they are supposed to behave during the ride. As kids get ready to wait for the bus they get excited because their friends that might not be in their class at school are on the bus. Upon the bus arriving to the house, there are many school bus safety tips that the children should know. It is very important to follow the rules to avoid any traffic-related accidents with the school bus or injuries that might happen while on the bus. Practice Makes Perfect Your children, at a young age, might not understand that bus safety rules are a little different than the rules in the family car. By practicing the school bus rules in your own car, you as a parent are encouraging your children to become more aware of what they have to look forward to when school starts in the fall. Waiting for the School Bus Safety Tips Many children will wait for the bus to come in their own driveways. Some will have an assigned bus stop or meeting place to get on the bus. Regardless of where children get on the bus, the same safety tips apply. When waiting for the bus outside your house or at the bus stop, children should not be standing close to the road. Once you see the bus coming, children should not rush towards the bus, but wait for it to come to a complete stop. Once the bus is completely stopped and the doors open, the children should enter the bus using the handrail located on the left side of the doors. If there is more then one child getting on the bus at a time, make sure to not push or shove while getting on How Children Should Behave On the Bus Children on the bus should be respectful of the safety rules that are given because they are there to protect the children. No parent wants to get a call saying that their child was injured on the bus or when getting off the bus. If a child is hurt on the bus, the injury should be report as soon as possible to the bus driver. Once the children are on the bus, they should find a seat as fast as possible. When looking for a seat on the bus, a child should look for a seat that either is empty or has one other person sitting it in. As a safety precaution, two people sitting in a seat is good. Three people sitting in the same seat is the maximum number allowed. If there are more then three in the seat, then that could become dangerous. If your child is sitting in a seat and their friend is sitting a few seats away, your child should not be screaming or talking loud. Instead they should talk the same way to their friends on the bus that they would talk in their classroom. To avoid people getting hurt on the bus, your children should not be hanging out in the aisle or have their backpacks in the aisle. There will be times that your children will have to bring either musical instruments or sports equipment on the bus. If that ever happens, they should find an empty seat for the large items and themselves. When your child has either reached school or their house, they should remain seated in the seat until the bus comes to a complete stop. Once the bus is completely stopped, the children can carefully and quickly gather their items and make their way to the front of the bus in a single file line. When they reach the stairs of the bus, they should use the handrail located to the right side of them. The reason for that is because you never know if the stairs are slippery or if they are wet from the weather. Outside The School Bus Safety Tips Once your child has gathered their items carefully, quickly, and made it off the bus at their assigned bus stop, there are a few things that you should never do. These school bus safety tips are instructed to keep all the children safe. First, if your child has noticed once they are off the bus that they forgot something, they should never turn around and walk back to the bus to go get it. The child should go straight to a parent at their house. If it is something that the child needs for homework, the parent can call the bus garage and they can go and get it. Otherwise, the item can wait until the next school day. The bus drivers do a walk through of the bus to clean it for the next day. If your child is one of the many children that have to cross the street in front of the bus, the bus driver will instruct your child how far out from the bus they should stand. Many time,s a bus driver will tell your child to walk up to their mailbox and other times if the mailbox is not available, the child should stand ten steps from the front of the bus. Once your child is standing in the stop where they will cross from, they need to look both ways (left, right and then left again) and make eye contact with the bus driver who will have a special hand signal for crossing. If the bus driver takes a
Safety Tips for Keeping Your Kids Safe on Their Way Home from School
Peace of Mind by Keeping Your Kids Safe Keeping your kids safe is always a priority. The first day of school is always bittersweet with this being something that lingers in the back of your mind.. Everyone gets up at the crack of dawn in a hustle to beat that morning bell, yet everything normalizes once the chaos ends. This routine continues for most weekdays until spring has sprung and everyone is ready for summer vacation. By the end of summer vacation, however, everyone is ready to go back to school and do it all over again. It is like a socially acceptable form of insanity because every year parents and kids hope to do things better than they did the year before. Keeping your kids safe is everything. One thing that should never change, unless for the sake of improving, is teaching and reminding your children about staying safe on their way home from school. If you are a parent who allows your children to walk home or they have to walk home from a bus stop, it is imperative to teach them how they can keep themselves safe. Even if they ride home with a friend or they have to come home to an empty house, equipping them with the proper knowledge keeps them safe and brings you peace of mind. Kids Home Alone? Learn how to Keep them Safe. Being Realistic about Safety As we know, the world isn’t always kind. Teaching safety tips in a way that makes them aware of danger without injecting fear is very important. You don’t necessarily have to tell them about a case in which a child was abducted or injured, but simply let them know that there are people out there that aren’t so nice. If a stranger approaches your child or tries to pick them up, your child should know that there is something horribly wrong. This is why the buddy system is important. If a child isn’t able to walk home with a friend or neighbor, then it may be best to enroll them into an after school program or for a family member or friend to pick them up from school. It’s best to be realistic rather than worry and hope that nothing bad will happen. After School Safety Tips The following are after school safety tips based on the different after school scenarios. These tips will help you make informed decisions about your child’s safety and also give you the tools to effectively talk to them about what they should or shouldn’t do when coming home after school. 1. School Pickup Your child will most likely have to exit the school to find you in the curbside pickup line or parking lot. If you won’t be picking your child up that day, let them know who will be there. If someone other than the designated person tries to pick them up, develop a protocol. That protocol can involve your child calling you to determine if the person there to pick them up should be there or your child can go to the school’s office because it’s a safe place. Once in the office, a call can be made to you or someone else that you have designated as a “safe adult.” Also let your child and anyone picking them up know the location of the designated parking space, if possible, and agree upon a time to meet. That way if your child isn’t at the car by that agreed upon time, you know something could be wrong. 2. Walking Home If your child needs to walk home from school or a bus stop, work with your child to determine a route so that you know that route. Explain to them that they should never take shortcuts because they could get lost or you could have difficulty finding them in an emergency. Walk the route with your child to show them safe areas along the way. Teach them about crosswalks and watching for uneven sidewalks. If you know anyone who lives along the route, make sure your child knows which house is theirs in case they need to go to them for help. However, while someone may live along the route, that doesn’t mean that person would be home during an emergency. This is why the buddy system, mentioned earlier, is important. It is ideal that a child never walk alone. If other kids in the neighborhood are also walking home, they should all walk together. 3. Home Alone Around the ages of 11 and 12, children can usually start staying home alone after school. This isn’t something that needs to be made public knowledge. Your child should have a key to the house, but it shouldn’t have any identifying information on it such as a “house key” label. If they lose the key, you don’t want a stranger coming to the home and using it to get in. All doors and windows should be locked, the child should know how to set the alarm system, emergency contact information should be in prominent locations, and children shouldn’t answer the door or phone. If answering the phone is necessary, your child should be instructed to say you are “busy” and that you will call them back. Trusted neighbors should know when your child is going to be home alone and for how long. Additional Tips for Keeping Your Kids Safe Other things that you should know about keeping your kids safe include: Don’t write your child’s address on or in their backpack, lunchbox, or on their notebooks. If they would lose one of these items, a criminal could obtain the information. A criminal can also use this information to pretend like they know your child and lure them. Instruct your child to not get into vehicles with people they don’t know. Even if it is to get a ride home with a friend, your child may not know the parent. If they don’t know the parent, you