Back to School, Back to Routine: 7 Home Security Tips for Families

Back-to-school season means new schedules, busy mornings, after-school activities, and sometimes children arriving home before their parents. It’s also a good time to take a fresh look at your family’s home security.

Modern security systems do much more than sound an alarm during a break-in. With features like mobile notifications, security cameras, video doorbells, smart locks, and remote access, parents can stay connected to their homes and know when their children arrive safely.

Here are seven home security tips to consider as your family heads back to school.

1. Make sure kids know how to use the alarm system

If your children are old enough to come home on their own, make sure they understand how to properly disarm and arm your security system.

Practice the process before school starts. They should know what to do if they accidentally trigger the alarm, and understand that alarm codes should not be shared with friends.

Many modern alarm systems also allow individual users to have their own codes. That makes it easier for parents to know who has entered the home, and when.

2. Use mobile notifications to know when kids arrive home

One of the most useful features of today’s security systems is the ability to receive notifications directly on your smartphone.

Depending on your system, you may be able to receive an alert when the alarm is disarmed, when a particular user code is entered, or when a door is opened.

Instead of wondering whether your child made it home from school, your security system can keep you informed even when you are still at work.

3. Consider smart locks instead of spare keys

Remember hiding a spare key under a flowerpot or doormat? Unfortunately, burglars know those hiding places too.

A smart lock or electronic access system can eliminate the need for children to carry a traditional house key. Depending on the equipment, family members can have individual access codes, and parents may be able to control or monitor the lock remotely.

It also eliminates another common problem: a child losing their house key at school.

4. See who is at the door before opening it

Children who are home alone should understand that they do not need to answer the door just because someone knocks or rings the bell.

A video doorbell or a properly positioned security camera can provide a view of who is outside without opening the door. Parents may also be able to view their cameras remotely from a smartphone, which is another way to stay connected to what is happening at home.

Talk with your children about your family’s rules for answering the door, and what they should do if someone they do not recognise is outside.

5. Check your cameras and security system before school starts

Security equipment is easy to forget about when everything is working properly. Back-to-school season is a good reminder to check your system.

Make sure cameras have a clear view and have not been blocked by trees or landscaping. Check that doors and windows close securely and that alarm contacts are working correctly.

If you have security cameras, verify that they are recording properly and that the date and time are correct. You should also make sure you can still access your system remotely, and that everyone who should receive notifications is receiving them.

A few minutes spent checking your equipment now can prevent discovering a problem when you actually need the system.

6. Create a simple after-school security routine

Security does not need to be complicated. Create a simple routine your children can follow every day. When they arrive home, they might:

• Lock the door behind them.
• Disarm or re-arm the security system as appropriate.
• Avoid letting friends into the home without permission.
• Keep doors and windows closed and locked.
• Never give alarm or door codes to friends.
• Contact a parent if something does not look right.
• Know who to call in an emergency.

The simpler the routine, the easier it is for children to remember.

7. Be careful what your family shares online

Back-to-school pictures are a tradition for many families, but think about how much information you are sharing publicly.

Photos can unintentionally reveal your child’s school, bus number, daily schedule, home address, or other personal information.

It is also worth talking to older children about what they post. Sharing that the family is away for the weekend, or that nobody will be home after school, reveals more than intended.

Review your family’s social media privacy settings, and encourage children to think before posting information about where they are or where they will be.

Home security is about more than burglary protection

A modern home security system can be another tool for keeping your family connected.

Knowing when a child arrives home, receiving an alert when a door opens, checking a camera from work, or remotely confirming that your home is secure can all provide valuable information during a busy day.

At First Advantage Security we install and service security systems, cameras, access control, and other security solutions throughout New York’s Capital Region. We work with homeowners and businesses to design systems around their actual security needs rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.

If your existing security system is outdated, you are considering adding cameras, or you would like to learn about newer options for monitoring your home remotely, we are happy to discuss the options available.

Serving Albany, Schenectady, Troy, Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs, and communities throughout New York’s Capital Region.