Four Things to Teach Your Middle School Kids About Home Security
Kids who have reached middle school age are usually ready to start taking care of themselves more often, and that means playing a role in keeping the home secure. There are also a few things they tend to do that may inadvertently give burglars the perfect chance to strike. Make sure your middle school kids are focused on security by teaching them these four important lessons.
Vigilance is Important
Just like many adults, kids sometimes get completely absorbed in TV or the Internet. Being vigilant doesn’t mean that they have to abandon these activities, but they must learn to maintain situational awareness no matter what they’re doing. Suspicious noises outside or a warning from the alarm system are things that your kids need to be aware of. Teach them to recognize signs that an intruder may be present such as noises at the door, unknown vehicles parked outside, and motion lights turning on.
How to Use the Home Security System
Security systems these days can be somewhat complicated. It’s important that your middle schooler knows how to perform the basic functions such as viewing the feeds from cameras, turning off any false alarms, and contacting the ADT Miami monitoring center with the panic button. If there is anything that they don’t understand about the system or its components, explain it to them. In addition, the owner’s manual provided by the Miami ADT home security installer should be stored where they can find it.
Choose Friends Carefully
The middle school years are when kids typically start asserting their independence. This is a normal part of growing up, but there’s a difference between just acting out and associating with the wrong crowd. It’s not unheard of for parents to notice valuables missing and catch one of their kid’s friends in the act of stealing. Your kids should be taught to avoid such ill-behaved individuals in the first place, but make it crystal clear that anyone who is known to have criminal tendencies is never to be brought into the house.
Use Discretion on Social Media
Middle school kids are some of the most frequent users of social media. They spend hours chatting, posting pictures, and making announcements. It’s all just part of making friends and having fun, but there could be some risks if they are not careful. Explain to your middle schoolers that what they post on social media is visible to the entire Internet, including any burglars who may be searching for homes to rob. One thing that they should never post under any circumstances is an announcement that they are home alone. Criminals know that kids that age cannot do much to stop them, so they’ll see it as an opportunity for an easy job.
A home security strategy is always stronger when every capable family member participates. Middle school kids should be mature enough to contribute to the family’s security efforts, and they must also learn to avoid common mistakes that provide criminals with opportunities. Ensure that your middle school child follows good home security practices by instilling in them these guidelines.
