Many parents in San Francisco, CA are still at work when their kids get home from school. This can cause concern for their safety, as most home break-ins occur during daylight hours. Though you may not be able to be home when they get there, you can teach your kids about security, and how to stay safe until you arrive home.  Here are the three best safety practices that all kids should learn to stay secure at home after school.

Lock Up

Remind your child to go straight home after they get off the school bus. Let them know that they don’t have to go straight inside, but they should never stray too far from the house. When they do enter the house, remind them to lock the door as soon as they get in.

If you’re not ready to entrust your child with a set of house keys, use a smart lock to unlock the door remotely when they get home. Stress the importance of not opening the door to strangers. A doorbell camera can let them see who is at the door without having to open it. Remote capabilities let you see a visitor from your smartphone and let them into the house remotely if desired.

Use The Alarm System

An alarm system is an effective tool in protecting homes in San Francisco, CA. It also gives you peace of mind when you can’t be there. Keep these important things in mind when installing a security alarm system:

• Place the keypad in an area that a child can reach. Keep it out of the view of windows.
• Teach your child how to use the system.
• Use an alarm system with remote alerts that let you know when your child arrives home.
• Show your child what the alarm sounds like when activated.
• Teach them how to shut the alarm off.
• Install a system with real-time monitoring so that someone is aware of an emergency when it occurs.

Do This In Case of a Break-In

Tell your kids to inspect the outside of the house before they enter it. Broken windows, open doors, and ransacked living spaces are all signs that the home has been burglarized. Remind them never to enter the house if anything looks suspicious. Make a plan with a trusted neighbor in advance, and instruct your child to go there instead.

Prepare your child in what to do if a break-in occurs while they are inside. Though this is a scary scenario, knowing in advance what to do will help keep them at ease. Your specific plan will rely on the layout of your home.

With monitored security, your home and family will be protected 24/7 in the event of an emergency. If you need to upgrade your old system or install a new one, be sure to work with a security company in San Francisco, CA that has the experience and knowledge to help you determine what you need. Contact us for more information on how we can help you keep your family safe.