It is said that the only way to truly live a fruitful life is to take risks. We are encouraged to get out of our comfort zones, compromise and take the road less taken. However, as a parent, there are a lot of things that you shouldn’t be risking. One of these is a safe bedtime for your kids.
Ensuring a safe home for your kids does not only involve installing a home security system. You are tasked to safeguard your children from everything from abusers and child predators, to sleeping disorders. Here are some techniques to help you ensure the safety of your children at home.
Protect your kids from home intruders.
Recently, there have been horror stories of domestic burglaries that led to loss of property, and injuries and deaths of household members. According to recent FBI data, break-ins of residential properties in 2013 accounted for 73% of all burglary offenses in the US. Nearly 60% of burglaries involved forcible entry while 35% were unlawful entries. Attempted forcible entry accounted for 6.5% of house breaks-ins.
Your best tool in ensuring your children’s safety inside your home is a home alarm system.
Make your home disaster-free.
Children can be unstoppable at times. They’ll lay their little hands on anything within their reach including matches, lighters and faucets. It is advisable to have an alarm system for fires and leakage to avoid disasters in your home. Check out affordable wireless smoke detectors and water leak detectors in your alarm system store.
Screen your childcare providers thoroughly.
There’s nothing scarier than hiring the wrong person to look after your kids. Parents are strongly advised to check applicants’ references to ensure they’re hiring caretakers who hold the same priorities and safety concerns that they do. A caretaker should be happy to freely answer questions about daily activities and to discuss and problem-solve as a team if your child suddenly becomes moody or withdrawn.
Keep kids away from dangerous waters.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns that two out of 10 drowning-related incidents in the US everyday involve children aged 14 and younger. Most drownings occur in home swimming pools. To prevent these disasters, the CDC advises the installation of a four-sided pool fence, preferably at least 4 feet high, that separates the pool area from the house.
Seek help for your kids’ sleeping troubles.
Phoenix Children’s Hospital enumerates the symptoms of a sleep disorder your child may be suffering from. These include excessive snoring, lapses in breathing, bed wetting in children older than six, and difficulty falling or remaining asleep. Children diagnosed with attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are likely to have troubles getting sleep and staying asleep. If your child manifests inattentiveness, over-activity and restlessness, it is advisable to speak to a doctor.
Limit the use of electronic gadgets
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that toddlers and pre-schoolers get 11 to 14 hours of uninterrupted sleep every day. School age children (six to 13 years old) should be getting nine to 11 hours of shut-eye each night while teenagers, aged 14 to 17 years, must sleep for eight to 10 hours at night time.
Researchers at the Sleep Research Center in Loughborough University stress the need for adolescent children to “sleep longer and deeper.” “Children are often tempted to take their mobile phone to bed with them and start texting without their mom and dad knowing. This distraction means they’re not in a relaxed state for good-quality sleep, which can affect their learning,” says Professor Jim Horne. Set rules on TV watching and the use of electronic gadgets to ensure these do not interfere with your kids’ quality sleep.
Teach your kids how to protect themselves.
It is not only burglars that you need to watch out for. Criminals who prey on children are everywhere. They may even be in the same neighborhood! Mobile phones and social media have made it easier for them to connect with their targets. Educate your children on the hazards of the Internet and share street-smart tips on how to protect themselves from predators. The old dictum, “don’t talk to strangers” remains relevant today.
Make your home safety a family business.
No home security system can equal a vigilant and well-prepared household. Teach every member of your family on how to set alarms, what to do when the smoke detector sets off and how to call for help if someone breaks into the house. Have regular conversations with your children whether they’re having troubles getting sufficient sleep at night. If you notice changes in their moods, investigate what is stressing them out. Finally, seek suggestions from your family on how to improve your home security. Two (or three) heads are better than one!
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Jeanette Anzon is a graduate of Architecture. She enjoys photography, sketching, arts, film, writing and continuous education. To get to know her more, you can follow @jeanetteanzon
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.
