The “back to school” shopping commercials have begun and before you know it, there will be a crispness in the air signaling that fall is near. This also means that it’s time for kids to head back to school. However, for many of these children, it means returning to an empty house after school until their parents come home from work.
According to a 2014 “America After 3pm” study by Afterschool Alliance, one in five children spend time after school alone and unsupervised. The numbers have slowly been on the decline but that still means that 11.3 million children are without after school care.
After school programs help give working parents peace of mind that their children are safe and secure. Unfortunately, for every child in an after school program there are two waiting for a spot. For parents of these children, it can be a difficult decision to leave their children home alone.
If an after-school program isn’t available in your area, there is another way to monitor your children when you’re not home. Remote video monitoring can give you peace of mind.
Did you know that you can view what’s going on in your home from your mobile phone using a home monitoring system? With appropriately placed home security cameras and Sonitrol Pacific’s mobile app, you can watch the moment your child walks in the door and ensure they’re staying safe, even when you’re not there. You will have the power to monitor your child’s comings and goings and rest easy knowing they are secure at home.
Consider adding a keyless entry system with your home monitoring system. With a keyless entry system, you won’t have to worry about your child losing the house key and being stuck outside until you get home.
Additionally, it’s imperative that your child knows and fully understands how to arm and disarm the system. Keep a contact card next to or nearby the system should your child have any trouble with the system and so they will know who to contact. It’s also a good idea to keep a list of numbers for family members, neighbors, etc. near the alarm system or phone should an emergency arise. Knowing a security camera is present may make your child feel more secure as well, knowing you are able to watch over them even when you’re not physically there.
Other safety tips for children who are home alone:
• Practice an emergency plan with them in the event a fire, earthquake, etc. occurs
• Ensure they understand to not open the door to strangers
• Limit the amount of cooking they do
• Keep potential dangers (chemicals, sharp items, tools, etc.) out of reach
• When answering the phone, be sure they do not disclose that you (the parent) are not home but to say you are “unable to come to the phone.”
You may also want to consider adding a keyless entry system with your home monitoring system. With a keyless entry system, you won’t have to worry about your child losing their house key and being stuck outside until you get home. If you have any questions about our home security cameras with remote video monitoring, contact us today.