The saying goes, family is the tie that binds. You don’t want loose ends, especially when it comes to the security of your home. While your kids are precious to you, criminals see them as a potential loose end.

More trusting than adults, children sometimes inadvertently give details away which place your home at risk and your family in danger. With a few well-placed words to your kids, you lower the odds of this happening.

These are the issues we believe you should bring up when discussing home security with your children.

Don’t open doors for strangers

This is likely to occur when you’re distracted. Whether it’s preparing dinner or taking a remote work call, younger children want to help and will think nothing of answering the doorbell if it will give you one less thing to do.

Make it clear to them that they are to get Mommy or Daddy first, even if the adult on the other side says it’s okay to let them in. Remember, smaller children are easier to lure away. Don’t allow your child to become a kidnapping victim.

If you believe it’s necessary, install child locks on your doors. It eliminates the risk of your child giving access to someone who means you harm, or them, harm.

Don’t answer the door when alone

Pre-teen children often complain that no one treats them like they’re responsible. They’re just old enough to be left on their own in the house, but still young enough to be fooled by a non-threatening stranger who asks for their help in filling out a questionnaire.

Impress upon them that they are not to answer the door once they are alone. If a stranger asks for information, have your child ask the adult to return when you are home. Let them know that they should contact the police if the stranger continues to bother them, or loiter around the property.

Memorize emergency contacts

The above scenario is why your children should know how to reach emergency services. Have them memorize your local numbers. Additionally, you should keep a copy somewhere prominent, like the refrigerator door in your kitchen.

Ensure your children also know how to get in contact with you at all times once you’re not at home. This way, if there are suspicious deliveries or the unexpected arrival of repairmen, they can double-check details with you.

Be careful what you post on social media

This one is for your teens. As a demographic, they live their lives online and your teens will feel pressure to conform. Help them understand that while you want them to interact with their friends, there are some things they need to keep to themselves for everyone’s safety.

For example, if you’re going on vacation, ask them not to share details like the location or itinerary. Pictures taken inside or outside the house should not have anything that uniquely identifies it. This goes for videos as well.

Social media pictures can also show expensive items within your home that may attract burglars.

Tell them to be wary of any unidentified person who asks for personal or family details online.

Keeping things safe for everyone

Have an honest chat with your kids and let them know that family safety is everyone’s concern, not just the adults. This way they feel a sense of personal responsibility for keeping themselves and the home secure.

While this is a serious task to place on their shoulders, at no time should your children feel worried or frightened. With younger kids, you want to keep your interaction light, almost game-like. With the older ones, impress upon them that you are preparing for possibilities, even though none of these things might ever happen. To secure everyone’s safety, contact The Security and Lock Corporation, MIAMI at (305) 846-9360 and we will make sure your safety is prioritized.