Home Security and Your Children

If you have children, this article will be very relevant. In this article we will discuss ways to ensure your efforts in providing the necessary home security needs and protection for your children and from possible dangers that may confront them.

When you ensure the security of your home from burglary attempts, you are also increasing the security of your children. For example, strong doors with good locks and enforced windows will prevent any stranger from getting inside your house without your permission, especially when your children are at home.

The key here is to make sure the doors and windows are always locked. Remember this the next time you're cleaning up your back yard while your children are playing inside. Are they vulnerable to a stranger entering through the front door because you forgot to lock it???

In a previous article on home security advice I mentioned to make sure that tree branches wouldn't be used as possible hiding places for would be burglars. When your yard is increased in viewable area you are able to keep an eye on your children while they play, without any bushes or branches getting in the way of your view. what is going on outside? You will only know if you can see.

Home security for you children doesn't just mean buying a home alarm system either. It means you taking an active part in the protection and well being of your children. This could be as simple as making sure you hide and lock away all your yard and lawn tools in the garage or garden shed. With children being as curious as cats, running around the yard could be hazzardous for inquisitive little tots with dangerous tools all over the place. Other examples abound but two main points surface: (1) the protection of your house and (2) the protection of your family, particularly your children.

The above paragraph touched on providing for the safety of your children by hiding tools. The safety of your children within your home means providing a safe environment inside and outside. Providing an envoronment that is safe for your children inside and outside your home can be a daunting and sometimes scary endeavor at times but, yes I know, they're worth it. Such are the joys and struggles of life.

Major dangers that may lurk within your home ready to pounce when you least expect it are:

Fire
Floods
Electrical Shortage - blackouts or worse....Electrical Shock!!
Gas Leak

...and many others (toys laying around the house, etc.). Of these, Without discounting Electrical hazards, Fire and Gas Leaks are the most dangerous and pose the most direct threat on your life. In event of fire or gas leak, steps should be taken and followed quickly. These dangers will usually happen very quickly so you,too, need to react quickly. You may need to evacuate.

What if you were in the basement and a fire broke out. Can you get out???

Huge Tip - LEARN AND PLAN AND KEEP DOING IT!

This really is what it boils down to. The more you do of both, the more prepared you will be. Start gathering information from different sources by doing research on the Internet and through local police and fire departments. Try your neighbors. Ask them if they have a plan in case of imminent danger. Community centers may be able to help. Many of them have community awareness programs that you should try out. Hey, reading this article is a start.

These dangers only need to happen one time to affect the rest of your or your childrens' lives, and that's if you get a second chance. A number of years ago, a friend's neighbor was digging holes in his front yard for a fence. He neglected to phone the gas company to mark his yard for lines. When he punctured the gas line, he heard hissing sounds and yellled for everyone to get out. I drove by my friends home a few days later.

There was no house. It was completely incinerated. There was debris everywhere. Only the one side of my friends house was damaged, but his entire structure was comprised. He had to tear his 2 year old house down and start over. At least he had more to salvage than his neighbor. They lost everything except they're lives. They were very lucky.

One preventative step you could take are to check that all of your electrical, gas and water equipment is turned off when not in use. Vacationers, especially, are guily of this. Another friend of mine has a cottage that she used for a party. When she returned home, her water pipes burst. You should also make sure that your children turn this equipment off when they are done using it.

Now-a-days homeowners are armed with all kinds of detectors to help protect life and property. Installation of fire detectors, smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and natural gas detectors protects the whole family and can provide you with those extra few seconds you need to save not only your life but also that of your children. A little add on tip is to also create an alternative exit route for the whole family.

Start participating with your neighbors and join their neighborhood watch program. If they're not involved, they probably know someone who is. You will help to increase the safety of your whole family and property and gain a whole bunch of new friends at the same time.

This also helps when you are able to recognize and distinguish between people who belong and people who don't. Your good neighbors that you got to know will keep you abreast on this. They will keep an eye on your children and they know you will watch their children.

Don't forget to exchange phone numbers, too. They can notify you of any possible dangers lurking about or provide information on safety issues. The object here is to cultivate and nurture good relations with your neighbors.

Participation in neighborhood watch programs can provide your family with certain benefits like programs for safety and security training. Many have monthly seminars you can attend. It doesn't cost anything or if it does, it's minimal in comparison to the benefits.

In most cases your generous hospitality and some time is all it takes - a worthy effort indeed.
Even if you are unable to attend these seminars, a good relationship with other participating neighbors will provide the need link to these resources.

Finally, if you are very security conscious and want to take the protection of your home and family to the next level, there is a security arrangements you can take to contribute to the safety of your children. This would entail you moving from your current home into a community that offers it's own external security program.
Sounds extreme I know. But if you are already thinking of moving, this may be another option.

Many larger cities have comminities or complexes built with security in mind. An external security program involves placing a security fence around the perimiter of the community you live in by allowing entry and exit only through the main gate or gates. Entry is allowed only for it's residents. A gate is opened only after a security code is entered.

Many external security programs involve a security guard who makes sure that only residents or authorized guests can enter the area. An external security system will also help to protect your children by keeping prying eyes away and shielding them from strangers and criminals.
The next time you decide to move, think about moving to an area that can offer you extra security and protection for your home and family.

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