Your kids are getting older, and you are almost ready to let them be in the house alone for short periods of time, almost. No matter how responsible or well behaved your kids are, there are some measures that you need to take to prepare them for issues that may come up while you are away.
Establish rules now and take the time to practice them, so your children not only know what to do when the situation arises, but also so they can understand why they need to know these things and what the potential dangers could be. Here are some tips to help you teach your child home safety while you are away from the home.
Learn to operate the home security alarm system
Having a home security alarm system from a company like http://homesecuritychoice.com/ is always a good decision to help you know that your home is safe. Help your children learn how to use the system just as you do every day. Make sure they know all the operations to arm and disarm the system, and what to do in the case of an emergency. This is the easiest way to know that your children are safe no matter what situation arises.
No playing in the water
Do not let your child take a bath or swim in a backyard pool or lake while you are away. Even if your child is a good swimmer, there are many unrelated things that could happen that may cause an accident in the water. Put away the stopper for the tub or Jacuzzi when you leave and lock up the pool to avoid temptation.
Lock up all cleaning supplies and chemicals
Cleaning supplies can be harmful for any child at any age when used without supervision. Lock up all your cleaning supplies when you leave, even if you use natural or homemade cleaning products. These can still be harmful if used incorrectly and it is easier to avoid an accident than to clean one up after it has already happened.
Learn emergency drills
It is a good idea to post a list of emergency numbers somewhere in your home for your child to use if something happens. More importantly, your child should know the steps that he or she needs to take to stay safe in the case of an emergency. Plan out emergency drills with your child for fires, natural disasters and break-ins and make sure that the entire family knows the same drills.
Know what to do when a stranger comes to the door
As a general rule, advise your child to never answer the door to someone he or she doesn’t know when you are not at home. If a delivery comes, they can leave it at the door for you when you come home. Have a neighbor watch for any unexpected visitors and detour them if they are not leaving easily on their own.
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What a good reminder to lock up all chemicals and cleaning supplies! Easy to forget when the kids get a little older, but still important!