This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
I’m a member of Master Lock’s Live Secure Safety Squad and have been compensated for my time in writing this post.
October is National Crime Prevention Month.
Since the National Crime Prevention Council designated October as Crime Prevention Month in 1984, government agencies, civic groups, schools, businesses, and youth organizations have made an extra effort during this month to spread awareness and educate the public on creating safer, more caring communities.
I think it’s great to use this as a reminder to check our own home security systems and other steps we’ve taken to increase the safety of our homes and belongings.
Follow the home security tips we shared in this earlier post, 25 Home Security Tips.
Also use this opportunity to talk to your kids about safety precautions they should know.
Safety Tips for Kids
Here are a few safety tips for kids that I adapted from information shared at childquest.org.
Teach kids:
- Their full names, parents’ names, address and phone number.
- Always to tell you about anything that happens that makes them scared or uncomfortable.
- The difference between a “good” and a “bad” secret. A “good” secret is like a surprise party and it feels good to keep it. A “bad” secret feels bad to keep and it’s important to tell someone. Telling a “bad” secret is not “tattling”.
- Strangers can include people you recognize but don’t know very well. Even if someone knows your name and is nice, he/she can still be a stranger.
- When walking down the street, walk facing traffic so you can see the cars coming and know if a car stops near you.
- Yelling “No” and running is better than hiding. If a stranger approaches, you should yell “No” and run and tell a safe adult.
- Run in the opposite direction that a stranger’s car is going.
- Fight back if someone tries to take you. Yell, “No!” “Help!” or “Fire!”
- If home alone, all doors and windows should be locked.
- When answering the door, ask, “Who is it?”
- Never say your parents aren’t home. Say your parents are busy.
- Never give out your name, address or other personal information online.
Crime Prevention Prize Pack Giveaway
While you’re thinking about ways to improve security for you family, home and belongings, take a look at the items included in this prize pack giveaway.
This Master Lock “Crime Prevention” prize pack has an approximate value of $125 and contains…
- Storage Security Safe – 5900D is great for keeping electronic devices safe, identity protection and credit card storage.
- Backpack Locks – 1548DCM perfect for backpacks, duffel bags, briefcases, etc.
- Portable Key Safe – 5422D provides secure storage of keys or access cards.
- $50 Visa gift card for any other safety needs.
Enter to Win
Would you like to win this prize pack?
Leave us a comment sharing a safety tip or something you recently have done to improve security. Then use the Giveaway Tools widget below to enter.
Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at http://pinterest.com/5minutesformom/
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Thomas Murphy says
I just got an alarm system to improve security in my house.
Sarah B. says
Never ever leave my purse in the car. Also never hang it over the backs of chairs in public places. That’s what thieves look for!
Dawn Proulx says
Don’t leave notes on the door for service people or family members when you’re not there. These alert the burglar that you are not home.
Stephen Saunders says
though a simple thing, I checked the smoke alarm battery recently and it turns out it needed to be replaced. so all is well now. 🙂
Carrie Conley says
Installed more security lights in the back yard….
Alisa says
I always keep my car remote in my hand ready to hit the panic button when walking to and from my car.
David ODonnell says
Installed a motion light at front door
Gail Williams says
Weh ave our yard rigged with motion sensors everywhere and lights go on. We also have a great dog who barks at any noise!
Teresa Thompson says
We have video security.
Jessica says
We just signed up for AT&T Digital Life that allows us to have security cameras at both entrances with a feed that goes right to our smart phones.
Cori Westphal says
We just put on a keyless entry pad on our front door. Safer than losing a key!
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Esme says
Paying extra attention when walking at night and letting someone know when I am out late/where I am.
Suzanne Johnson says
We have improved our security with a new deadbolt and motion sensor porch lights
christine j says
we started to do both of the locks on the doors before going to bed
Daniel M says
lock your car, keep seeing stories about thieves taking everything from entire neighborhoods because all the cars were unlocked
Dominica H. says
One thing I always do when I’m going out to my car is look inside before getting in to make sure no one is hiding inside.
Liza Ramsey says
Don’t let the kids walk home from school alone.
Crissie Woolard says
WE JUST PUT AN ALARM SYSTEM IN OUR HOME
Laura J says
We just put a motion sensor light out front, but would love to put another one out back by the back door too.
Carol says
Use motion lights and timer lights.
Stacey b says
I recently submitted bought locks for all of our windows.
chickie brewer says
I try not to get to friendly to with people that I know may be using drugs..
Stephanie says
i keep the lights on at night
Tabathia B says
I have added brighter lights around my front and back door that are sensitive to movement
Birdiebee says
I bought a small safe to store my checks, credit cards and other valuables in as well as a few prescriptions I don’t want anyone to get their hands on.
Karen Lynch says
Changed some knobs that were showing wear on our back doors.
Cindy Brooks says
We’re installing a camera so we can see when someone is coming up our very long driveway
Angela says
I have a board in my patio door so no one can break in.
Ben (Ada) says
I started locking up my bike in my garage.
Jessica T says
Always make sure to close my garage – there have been a lot of day time thefts lately in our neighbourhood!
Jasmine R says
I just say always keep the kids in sight. I never let my little one out of sight, anything can happen so quickly.
Kathy stevenson says
The best safety tip is to get a dog!
Claudia says
We we take a walk at the evenings we walk the opposite direction of the driving cars, Thank you!
BusyWorkingMama says
We recently added a code to the outside of the garage to be able to open it if we get locked out.
Nancy Sloan says
We recently put in outdoor motion lights.
Janet W. says
One safety tip is to never leave any valuable items in plain sight, especially while traveling in a hotel or in your car.
Amy Ballou says
I carry pepper spray with me now.
Christy E says
Always make sure your internet passwords have capital & lower case letters, numbers and symbols
Susan P. says
I’m looking into getting a timer or remote controller via smartphone to have the lights on a schedule for when I travel.
D Schmidt says
My best safety tip is never leave the windows unlocked when you go out.
soha molina says
My tip is to invest in a secure lock.
Heather Hurst says
Recently added deadbolts to two exterior doors for added security to our home.
Mary W says
We installed alarms to monitor the front entrance. The alarms are working well. No more surprises at the front door!
Amy L says
Learn your neighbors’ names and “routines”, and hopefully they will learn yours as well. Exchange phone numbers if you feel comfortable with that. This can help in an emergency situation.
Wehaf says
My safety tip is to have a family password. Tell your children that if you ever send someone else to pick them up unexpectedly, that person will know the password.
Ellie Wright says
We installed new motion sensor lights on our house.
april yedinak says
I have improved security by installing outdoor lighting.
Linda Kish says
We have both small noisy dogs and a very large protective dog who won’t allow anyone into the house. The small noisy ones are often more useful as a deterrent I have heard. But then again, I wouldn’t want to meet JJ if I didn’t know him either.
Angie says
I installed a new deadbolt on my front door.
Angela Saver says
We had an ADT alarm system installed in our home!
mrsshukra says
We had CCTVs installed professionally after a recent break in!
Susan Christy says
I have a big dog! I feel very secure with her around.
Nannypanpan says
My tip is to only allow my son online when I am in the room and he is not allowed to play games connected to Facebook
kathy dalton says
I live in a condo with a paqrking garage and before I get out of my car to leave the garage, I have my elevator key in hand and my cell phone on hand just in case
Amanda Hardesty says
I tell the kids to always stay together. Don’t go places they don’t know and stay away from anyone they haven’t seen me with before.
Lawanna says
If I’m out at night, I park under the lights.
Pat Nolan says
Sounds simple but we leave the outside lights on all night. Many neighbors don’t and that leaves a lot of places for thieves to hide.
Cheryl says
We are very security conscious at home after repeated vandalism. We installed a whole house alarm system including security cameras.
Kerrie Mayans says
We recently installed fire ladders in our upstairs bedrooms so the kids could get out a different way if the stairs were blocked and the house was on fire.
Vickie Couturier says
we have a fire plan with the grandchildren,,we keep smoke detectors working at all times,,and we are careful about leaving anything out that may hurt the grandchildren,,we also have a firesafe box too
Li says
We installed motion lights and added a very protective pooch. 🙂
Ron Miller says
installed a video cam doorbell
Cheryl says
Keeping shrubs trimmed under windows and being sure all outdoor lights are in working order helps deter burglaries.
Rust says
We just added a home security system which includes the detached garage.
DEBIJOT says
We added a security camera posted outside our front door.
Brittany says
We recently got a fence, while someone can still come through the gate at least it is a small deterrent and keeps my kids and pet safer.
Crystal Rose says
I have regular talks with my daughter about how to stay safe.
Saver Sara says
We got a security system this year. I didn’t think we needed it but my husband grew up with one and talked me into it. It really does make a difference!
Randi S says
When my husband is out of town overnight, I keep the car keys next to me…if I were to hear anything, I can hit the panic button (it’s within range!)
Jennifer Rote says
I keep a flashlight in my purse. Our dog protects our home.
Jeanna says
We recently sat down and talked about our family “Code word”. A word only our family knows in case of an emergency.
janetfaye says
I make sure all of my home windows are locked when I leave the house.
sandra says
we had our son take a home alone lass so be safe alone
Debbie Welchert says
We recently put a different door and lock on the front of our house.
Debra Hall says
i have camera’s and motion lights
latanya says
We installed new flood lights at our home
Barbara Platt says
Our grandsons are runners and we bought them a hat light so they can be seen by drivers when they run.
We have a security system at home.
steve weber says
my dog is our security system!
amyc says
We use a fire safe for all of our important documents.
Kelly D says
We installed motion lights on the side of our house.
shaunie says
Safety tip: Never leave your key under the door
Reshmi chatterjee says
we recently went for an alarm system
Jessica To says
We have an alarm system but recently put up stickers in our windows that alert people to our alarm.
Sarah Hall says
Make sure you have no bushes in front of your windows where someone could not be seen breaking in. We recently had two large ones removed from the front of our home.
Austin Baroudi says
Always keep your doors securely locked whether you be at home or in our car!
Gina M says
My tip is to keep all car door locks when driving. Anyone can jump in the car at a red light!
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Sonya Morris says
I am locking my car doors at night which is something I usually don’t do since we are in a low crime area. There have been several cars in my community that have been targeted while parked in their driveway.
Nicole Dz says
We recently had camera installed outside the home for added security to out home for our family safety.
Elena says
we have a video security system and a dog in our house
Jingle says
I always keep a flashlight in my card. It’s a little thing, but if needed it makes you visible and allows you to see your surroundings which is so important.
Amanda Sakovitz says
we have an alarm system
Jessie C. says
We got a small Storage Security Safe.
anne says
Our dog deters any problems at all.
Mami2jcn says
We recently installed an alarm in our home.
Lisa Brown says
I have a dog that watches my house and us 🙂
Meagan bs says
when we bought our house a year ago we got a security system to help us feel safer and we are so glad we did. we also installed double key locks on our front door because it has a window.
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
I’ve recently learned that it’s safer to shop and pay bills online with a prepaid credit card!
Denise Taylor-Dennis says
We have a security system for our home.
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Fairly certain he will have a good read. Many thanks for sharing!