Today’s busy parents often deal with scheduling conflicts. For many families, this means getting home from work a few hours after your children. In the summer, or during other extended holidays, the kids might be home for a full 8 hours or more. Many moms and dads are left struggling with worry and anxiety at the idea of what could go wrong in those hours away from home. At QuickPro Locksmith, we care about the safety and security of our Atlanta, Georgia families. That’s why we’ve dedicated our careers to helping businesses and homeowners in Atlanta, Sandy Springs, Brookhaven, Dunwoody, Norcross, Tucker, and other nearby metro areas feel confident about the quality of their locks. Along the way, we’ve learned a lot about how families can decrease their chances of a break-in and want to share our knowledge with other concerned parents. Here are a few tips that can help make your children’s home alone time more secure and a lot less stressful.
Preparation is the key to surviving almost any situation. Teach your children which issues could develop while they’re home alone and brainstorm ways to overcome different emergencies. It’s a good idea to take notes during these discussions and to print out emergency plans for your kids to review from time to time. Common scenarios include home invasions, fires, bad weather, illness, and injury.
It’s a good idea to provide at least one cell phone for the kids to use when at home by themselves. This ensures that if an emergency ever occurs they will be able to call for help immediately and stay on the line while getting to a safe location. Keep emergency contact information stored in the phone and post a physical list of important numbers in an easy-to-find location. Be sure to include the police station, fire department, poison control, work numbers, contact information for close friends and family members, a reputable locksmith company like QuickPro Locksmith, and other maintenance professionals (in case a lockout, burst pipe or electrical outage happen while you’re away from the house).
A professional locksmith can tour your home, inspect your current door and window locks and point out points of concern. Getting a quality security inspection is a great first step toward taking control of your home’s overall safety. In addition, be sure to get regular inspections for other important components of your home such as smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and electrical wiring.
Get a quality security system that will immediately alert the police and fire department the moment an emergency or break-in ever occurs. Show your kids how to properly set the alarm and how to sound it during an emergency. Having a camera installed in a visible location outdoors may help deter criminals from targeting your home in the first place. It can also help identify the perpetrators after an incident occurs.
The unfortunate truth is the standard pin and tumbler locks found on most front doors are very easy to bypass. Criminals with a $10 lock-picking kit or homemade bump key can enter your home in a matter of seconds without showing any signs of forced entry. Often, they can do it so quietly that your children may not even be aware that a burglary is taking place. Thankfully, many lock manufacturers are now creating better locks that are resistant to these techniques. You may also consider installing a smart lock that allows parents to control their locks with their smartphones remotely. This will allow you to have control over who enters your home and ensures that there won’t be spare keys roaming around the neighborhood.
Are you ready to invest in your household’s security? Call the professional specialists at QuickPro Locksmith today. Our team is ready to discuss your needs one on one and can also schedule a convenient appointment with a technician near you.