Your Kids and Home Security

What’s the first thing we teach our children about home security? Don’t open the doors to strangers. This is a timeless bit of advice for people of all ages, but particularly true for younger children. Unfortunately there are people in the world who can sweet talk their way past the most powerful parental advice. This is part of the reason that crimes known as “home invasions” are on the increase.

These sorts of burglaries are now so common that most states have created laws and severe penalties around them. This includes burglars who come and go without even alerting the homeowners to their presence. Generally home invasions are not harmless issues, and to protect children from the potential for violence that exists, law enforcement agencies offer several bits of advice.

One of the first things to consider is an electronic home security system. They are now incredibly easy to use, most have the capabilities for differentiating between house pets, kids and full-size adults, they offer more than just protection from burglary and they can realistically serve as an emergency communication system if kids run into trouble of any kind. Imagine the relief that parents can experience when heading out for a quiet dinner at a restaurant, knowing that their teenagers are safely at home with a fully activated security alarm protecting them.

The next thing to consider is the stability and strength of doors and locks. Kids may not always remember to turn a bolt or slide a latch and this should be considered when assessing the strength of the doors in the home. Do they need self-locking mechanisms? Should chains or extra security measures be installed due to little ones who try to wander off on their own? Should a beeper or indicator be installed to let parents and kids know when certain doors have been opened? All of this is possible and should be considered in homes where children live.

Consider too that any electronic security systems tend to come with a few “back up” or contingency plans. Many offer wireless communications which will allow the systems to operate even if phone lines are down or have been tampered with. Some also use long-term battery back up which allows the entire system to function for a full day or more without electrical service of any kind. This too can be a good thing for kids who may be at home during bad weather or who happen to fall victim to a would-be burglar.

Even the greatest home security system may not be able to prevent a building or home from the attention of would-be criminals, but law enforcement statistics indicate that roughly 90% of convicted burglars interviewed admit that they totally avoided homes with window decals or yard signs that indicated an electronic home security system was in place.

Clearly it really pays off to consider any additional security measures that should be put in place in a home where there are children. An electronic security system can provide protection from burglary, but it should also be remembered that it can alert the proper authorities should there be a gas leak, fire, floor or other problem with the home while the parents are away.