Your Safe Home Security Babysitter Safety And Security Practices Plan
The one thing worse than having a break-in while you’re away, is having one when you and your loved ones are home. Home invasions can be very traumatic, especially for young children. Safe Home Security, Inc. provides home alarm systems to protect you and your family when at home. But what about those occasions when you are away for the evening and the children are home with a babysitter? How do you ensure everyone’s protection in your absence?
Use these safe home security guidelines to help keep your loved ones safe and your mind at ease while you and your spouse are away and your kids are home with a babysitter.
First, give your babysitter a list of contact phone numbers and clear information regarding your plans for the evening: your destination(s), the expected time of your arrival, the duration of time you will be there and the time you’ll be back home. Be sure your babysitter has your cell phone number, the phone number of the restaurant or place(s) you’ll be that evening, and your spouse’s cell phone number.
Your babysitter should know your home address and phone number in the event they need to call for help. Be sure to provide them with a list of all local emergency numbers from poison control centers to the sheriff, police departments and fire stations.
The babysitter should be given a list or envelope with the names, ages, pictures and weights of your children. In that kit should also be the name and phone numbers of three neighbors you trust that are available while you’re out. Inform your babysitter of any problems or issues your children may have (allergies, medications) and how to handle them.
You should have a posted list of house rules that the babysitter has read and understands. Keep a flashlight on the counter or in an accessible location. Your babysitter should know where that is and what to do if there’s a power outage in the house. Explain to your babysitter how to activate and deactivate your home alarm security system. If you have an emergency panic button or key fob, make sure your babysitter keeps it with them or around their wrist at all times. Every window and every door should be locked when you leave for the evening. Your babysitter should understand how all of your locks work so that the entire house can remain locked while you’re away.
Clearly communicate to your babysitter whether or not he/she is allowed to take or drive the children anywhere while you are away. If allowed, be sure your babysitter understands any concerns or restrictions you may have. Let them know where the children can and cannot be taken.
Make sure your babysitter understands that no houseguests are allowed in your home during your absence. And they must know the best way to get your children out of the house in case of a fire. Share your fire escape plan with them, as well as the location of your home’s emergency exits and fire extinguishers.
Remember to leave a second vehicle parked in the driveway when you go out for the evening to give the illusion that adults are clearly home. Make sure your babysitter understands they are not to open the door for anyone without your permission should someone come to the door while you are away.
And needless to say, your babysitter should be able to give references if she or he is new. Be sure to check these references! Background checks are very important. They give you an important chance to find out more about your potential babysitter, and will probably give you greater peace-of-mind while you are away.
Safe Home Security Tips For When You Are Home Alone
Safe Home Security advises you to take certain precautions and follow basic security measures when you’re home alone, especially when someone comes to your door. These security measures are especially helpful to senior citizens, babysitters, those living alone and “latchkey” kids (Children that return to an empty home after school because one or more parent is working, or kids that generally spend a lot of time home alone.)
In addition to home alarm systems, one truly effective security tactic everyone has available to them is their internal alarm warning system, their instinctive gut-level response to potential danger. This internal warning system can be your best friend in the face of danger.
Many home invasions occur as a result of trickery by the intruder. They simply ask for directions or pose as home improvement workers, delivery persons, someone in distress, etc., so learning to trust your instincts is very, very important. If a stranger knocks at your door or rings your doorbell and you feel suspicious or afraid, your instincts are sending you a warning. Give yourself a moment to decide whether or not you truly want to answer the door. Stay alert, trust your gut instincts! Answering the door may not be the best move! If you believe you may be in danger, consider these safe home security tactics:
First, always use a peephole to identify who’s at your door. Never open your door if you can’t identify or know the person on the other side.
Keeping your door locked, speak to the person. Instruct them to present identification. Before opening the door, yell loud enough so that the person outside can hear you say something to the effect of “I’ll go get Jacob” or “I’ll get it!” This creates the perception that other people are in the house with you. Calling for a male in an assertive, concerned voice can be very effective. If the person states they are in distress, keep the door closed and offer to call for help for them.
When answering the door, always bring a cordless phone or a cell phone with you. If you’re talking on the phone, lay it down and don’t hang up with the friend that you’re speaking with. You may even want to call someone and let them know that you’re worried about a stranger at your door, and then remain connected to them on the phone until you feel the situation is over and you’re safe. This empowers your friend to overhear what’s going on and call for help, if needed. If the friend is a neighbor, they may be able to come by to check on you.
If you have a panic alarm, key chain alarm or key fob, have it with you and be ready to use it. Keep it near the door or on your person so that you can use it anytime your gut instinct tells you that you may be in trouble. You’re always better off to hit the panic alarm and have your monitoring company call you. If you’ve sent a false alarm, you can simply let them know, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Remember, prior to opening your door, use your gut instincts to size up the situation. If the person at your door looks threatening to you, use your alarm’s panic features, or simply pick up your phone and call for help in some manner: call a friend, the police, etc., and stay on the phone. That way, you know someone is connected with you and knows what’s going on until the police arrive.
Finally, be sure to teach children and babysitters about the risks of opening a door to strangers. And be sure your doors are well-constructed with heavy-duty deadbolt locks. It is not uncommon for the lock to hold, but the door or door frame to give way when forced.
Just because you’re alone doesn’t mean you have to be an easy target for criminals. Use these tips and your gut instinct to keep yourself out of danger and away from the threat of a robbery. Safe home Security also suggests that you install a professionally-monitored home alarm system so that whether you are home or away from home, at minimum, your house is continuously monitored. You alarm company’s signage alone (yard signs, window decals, etc.) goes a long way to increasing your security when you’re home.