Parenting Pointers: Security Tips for Buying a Home

One of the responsibilities of parenthood is keeping children safe. Choosing a new home for a family with children means considering the effect the layout and structure of the home will have on the security of each family member. One important thing to look for is a quality security system from a reputable manufacture. Other factors fall into two categories: keeping the child from doing himself harm, and keeping anyone else from hurting the child.

Protecting the Child from Himself

 - Indoor hazards

A great deal is written about childproofing homes: installing cabinet locks, securing electrical outlets and safeguarding stairways, for instance. This childproofing process should begin before the home is purchased, by selecting a house that has few hazards to begin with. A home that has no stairs is safer than one whose staircases have been blocked, for instance. A home with adequate storage for hazardous substances in locations out of reach of small children will reduce the risk of poisoning. Any safeguard can fail, and choosing a house with the fewest possible hazards reduces the probability of injury due to a lock or barrier failure. Some homes may have motion sensors that will alert adults when a child strays into a dangerous area, and these can reduce the risk considerably. At a minimum, any home with children should have detectors for smoke and carbon monoxide.

 - Outdoor hazards

Many of the dangers found in the outdoor areas of a property come from recreational enhancements. Swimming pools should have protective barriers to prevent children from straying into the area alone and drowning. Even decorative ponds can be dangerous to small children if they cannot be secured. Trampolines should also be in a secure area, especially if the child is old enough to bounce to any height. If the home has or will have a trampoline, it should of course be located far from hard surfaces. Outdoor steps and stairs are just as dangerous as those inside a home. If they cannot be eliminated, they must be secured. Unprotected  edges of elevated decks and patios are also to be avoided, and any sort of hole into which a child might fall is a big black mark against the property. Fencing and railings can be a big help, as can motion sensors and security cameras.

Protecting the Child from Outsiders

Another aspect of home security is protection against those who do not live in the home. Potential purchasers should look at the house from an intruder's point of view. If it would be easy to gain access to the home without the occupant's knowledge, parents may want to pass on that house. One of the best safeguards a home can have is a remotely monitored security system. A home security company can monitor a home twenty-four hours a day and send help to rescue children or anyone else facing an intruder or any other emergency.

Getting a quality alarm system from a company in your area shouldn’t be overlooked. Lifesheild, for example, provides security systems across the country The best time to minimize the risks of the home environment to children is when the home is purchased. Selecting a home that has relatively few hazards is a big step toward keeping youngsters safe. With the addition of a quality security system, parents can rest easy knowing that their children are as safe as it is possible to make them.

Jen Taylor never sits still. She loves to travel and visit new places. She is 8 states short of her goal to visit all 50 states by the time she is 35. After being mugged when she was 18, she often writes about crime to  spread safety tips and help others avoid theft and stay safe.