Preparing a Security Checklist for School Age Children

After a full summer of keeping your children under a watchful eye, preparing to send them back to school can be both overwhelming and frightening. Many parents don’t have the luxury of driving their children back and forth between home and school, the ability to be home with them immediately following the school day, or a way to keep in reliable communication throughout the day. Parents may feel that they are left to trust that their kids are both safe and behaving responsibly before, during, and after the school day, but it is possible to prepare kids for safety by arming them with knowledge and tools.

 

How can I prepare for my child’s return to school?

As summertime nears an end, parents should begin to educate and prepare their kids for their return to school. Discussing transportation options, whether walking, biking, driving, or taking the bus, and the safety guidelines that come along with each is imperative before the start of the school year. Practice the route between home and school and be sure children know who to contact in case of an emergency.

Additionally, parents should make a plan with their children in the event of various likely situations. Who do they contact if you cannot be reached? Is there a plan of action for days that school is cancelled or that your child may not be able to attend? Consider the possible scenarios and discuss potential plans should these scenarios arise.

Although closely monitored during school hours, younger kids can also learn about playground and classroom safety, and what to do in case of a school emergency. In addition to school safety, older children’s preparations could also include rules for staying home before or after school hours.

 

How can I make sure my child is safe before, during, and after school each day?

Despite all of these preparations, many parents may still seem uneasy about sending their children back to school, knowing they’ll be away from their watchful eye for many hours of the day. Luckily, if there is still a feeling of unease lurking inside of you, technology has made it a possibility to bring some comfort to your mind. Simple and discreet products that can track children and teens allow parents to see their kids wherever they are, whether home, school, or anywhere in between. The GPS tracking devices allow for children to be located with ease via smartphones or tablets.

Additional safety devices like home security systems andautomatic smart locks for homes can alleviate some of the stress associated with children being alone before or after school, or any other time of the day.

Parents should also discuss where their children are allowed to go after school, what appliances or electronics in the home are allowed to be used, and the rules for having friends visit without parental supervision.

Discussing transportation, school grounds safety, and rules for staying home alone will help to prepare children for their return to school at the end of the summer. To ensure children’s safety even more, GPS trackers and in-home systems can help to alleviate the stress of parents who are forced to be away from their children for extended periods of time with the simple click of a few buttons.

If you are a parent looking for more options for ensuring your child’s safety during the school year, the BrickHouse Security team is here to help! We invite you to contact us directly with your questions so we can direct you to the best product for your needs.