Everyone, even your teenagers, has a responsibility to make your house safe and avoid crime. Starting to teach your teenagers basic safety precautions that will keep them safe is never too early or late.
Both your peace of mind and your child’s safety depend on their knowing how to stay safe at home by themselves. Teenagers will need to develop greater independence as kids mature into thoughtful young adults, and this can be the best first start in that regard.
Here are some home security hints they should be aware of before you decide to leave them alone at home:
1. Conduct a trial run
If you’ve never left your children home alone, start by letting them stay there for only 20 minutes while you run to the store to gauge how they react. Increase your absence gradually if there are no issues. They’ll soon feel at ease living alone till you get home. At this stage, have them practice locking the house before they leave so you can take care of any items they could forget (making a useful checklist for them might also put them at ease).
2. Establish a secure environment
Make sure your children understand how to use the keys and how to open and close all the locks and windows in the house. It’s a good idea to discuss the risks of common domestic tasks that can result in an accident, such as leaving food unattended or drying clothes too close to a heater, even though they may be old enough to understand the general hazards in the home.
3. Lock everything up
Even though it should go without saying, many teenagers sometimes neglect to secure all entryways. They might also want to pay attention to the windows in addition to the doors. They should learn that all windows and doors should be locked as soon as you or another adult leaves the house. If your home has a garage that is attached to it, you must lock it as soon as you leave.
Before you leave your child alone, it’s a good idea to check the door locks. To make it simpler for your teenager to manage when they are at home alone, it may be time to think about acquiring contemporary additions like keyless entry door locks. Many keyless locks are even app-connected, making it simple for parents to confirm that the door is locked even when they are gone.
4. Understand basic first aid
Minor injuries and accidents can occur at any time. Even though injuries are a possibility you’d rather not consider, it’s always best to be safe than sorry. It’s important to teach your child basic first aid skills everywhere they go, not just at home.
It is essential to have an emergency first aid pack, and you should show your child how to utilise everything in it. Teenagers should know where to find the first aid box in addition to controlling bleeding and cleaning cuts to avoid infection. They should be aware of all the medication contained in the first aid box for emergencies.
5. Practice online safety
Teach your child that sharing personal information online is never a good idea, especially with strangers. Who is hiding behind the screen is always a mystery. Use this chance to educate them about internet crimes like cyberbullying that can specifically target teenagers. Make it plain to them that sharing your address or inviting someone you met online into your home is never acceptable behaviour.
6. Include your children in your security strategies
Decide together with your teen when you will use surveillance. Talk about the online habits, driving habits, or late-night outings that you find stressful in their autonomous everyday existence.
Negotiate browser controls if you are concerned about their online activities. It might provide you peace of mind and eliminate the need for them to update you if you can check your GPS when they get to their friend’s place. Inform them that you wish to install a motion sensor in the hallway if their out-at-all-hours behaviour is making you nervous. This will allow you to know when they arrive home safely. Even better, you might give them a special keypad code to use to turn off your security system when they get home. Surveillance technology can improve family communications when used wisely.
7. Give your teen more authority and responsibility
Teaching your children how to be safe on their own is a key component of ensuring their safety. Giving your child additional responsibility will enable them to get a deeper comprehension of what it means to be safe and responsible. You might designate your teen as either a primary or secondary emergency contact on your security system if they are the most likely to be at your house during particular times. Prepare them for what to perform in case of an emergency as another technique to make sure they comprehend your household safety.
Here’s an Essential Guide to Child Safety in Your Home.
