Develop a ‘safe children' plan in time for school holidays

The long summer school holidays are almost here and for many it's a time of rest and relaxation. For those of us that still have to go into the office, though, it can be a big worry, especially if it means leaving children at home alone. House robberies, even during broad daylight, are on the increase, so we need to be extra vigilant. There are ways of making this less of a headache and Trellidor has some ideas to help you develop a safety plan.

1. The first priority is to physically stop criminals from getting into your home and at your children. The best way of doing this is to install barriers on every door and window, and teach your children (even teenagers) to keep them locked at all times.
Other layers of protection such as burglar alarms and armed response services can be added later, as finances allow, but barriers are a crucial first line of defence.

2. Retractable security barriers are very useful for locking up areas that are unsafe for your children. For example, use them to block off staircases if you have very young children, or to shut off a room with dangerous equipment or chemicals. In high rise blocks of flats, barriers on windows and balconies prevent children from accidentally falling out.

3. Panic buttons within reach of children are very useful for emergencies, but they must understand the importance of using these in extreme circumstances only. For older children, consider portable panic buttons that can be hung around the neck like a necklace (this may be a danger on younger children).

4. Create a safe zone in your home using security barriers on doors, windows and the passage. Include sliding barriers on at least one window as an emergency escape route. Have practice runs with the family in using this area if robbers get into your home.

5. If children have to be left at home, make sure both they and their minders have access to emergency telephone numbers, including yours and those of friendly neighbours. Keep this list next to the phone in the safe zone and list them in your children's cell phones if they have them.

6. Teach your children and domestic helpers not to leave possessions or household tools lying around outside as these may tempt opportunistic robbers onto the property.

7. Insist that your child minder and children screen visitors before allowing them onto the property. They should telephone you first if they're unsure. The visitors can wait outside the gates until after they've verified with you that it's okay to let them in.

8. Try to schedule service company visits for when you're home so that you can keep an eye on what's happening. This even applies to companies that you've used before as the perpetrators of crime are sometimes people you think you know.

9. Listen to your dogs and encourage your children to do the same. They're often the first warning that intruders are lurking in the area. Allow your dogs into your home with you so that they know what they're protecting and are on hand to do so.

10. Keep garage doors closed, especially if it has an access door into the house and/or you use it as a storage facility.