Back-to-School Safety: Tips for Protecting Your Family and Home
The start of a new school year is an exciting time. Fresh uniforms, packed lunches, and the endless search for missing socks become part of the daily routine again. But with all the hustle and bustle, home security and safety often take a backseat. Whether your kids are starting school for the first time or heading into another year, ensuring their safety at home, on the way to school, and online is crucial.
Let’s dive into some essential back-to-school safety tips to help keep your family and home secure.
1. Home Security During School Hours
With kids back in the classroom and parents at work, many homes sit empty for long hours during the day, making them prime targets for opportunistic thieves. Here’s how to keep your home safe:
Secure All Entry Points
Lock all doors and windows before leaving home.
Install deadbolts on doors and security screens on windows.
If you have a security system, use it! Many burglars simply look for easy access points, so setting the alarm can deter them.
Smart Security Solutions
Video doorbells allow you to monitor who’s coming and going.
Smart locks can help you check if doors are locked via an app.
Security cameras with motion detection can notify you of unusual activity.
Neighbourhood Watch
Get to know your neighbours and keep an eye out for anything suspicious.
Join a Neighbourhood Watch group if your area has one.
Let trusted neighbours know when no one will be home during the day.
2. Safe Travel to and from School
Your child's journey to school should be as safe as possible, whether they walk, cycle, or take public transport.
Walking to School
Walk the route with your child before school starts and point out safe crossing points.
Teach them to use pedestrian crossings and always look both ways before stepping onto the road.
Encourage walking in groups rather than alone.
Cycling Safety
Ensure bikes are roadworthy with working brakes, lights, and reflectors.
Helmets are mandatory in Australia—make sure your child wears one properly fitted.
Stick to bike paths where possible and teach road rules.
Public Transport Safety
Teach kids to stand back from the curb when waiting for buses.
Remind them to keep valuables like phones out of sight.
Establish a plan for what to do if they miss the bus or train.
3. Cyber Safety: Protecting Kids Online
With many schools incorporating online learning, it’s important to ensure your children are safe in the digital world.
Online Stranger Danger
Teach kids not to share personal details like addresses, school names, or phone numbers online.
Ensure their social media accounts are private and friend requests are only accepted from people they know.
Screen Time Boundaries
Set screen time limits to avoid excessive device use.
Use parental controls to monitor and restrict access to inappropriate websites.
Recognising Cyberbullying
Keep communication open so your child feels comfortable discussing any online issues.
Encourage them to report bullying behaviour to you, a teacher, or the platform in question.
4. Safety at Home for Older Kids
If your child comes home before you, make sure they know how to stay safe.
Rules for Being Home Alone
Lock the doors as soon as they get inside.
Never answer the door to strangers.
Avoid telling people on social media that they’re home alone.
Emergency Contacts
Keep a list of emergency numbers by the phone or programmed into their mobile.
Teach them when and how to call 000 in case of emergencies.
5. Protecting Valuables
School bags are often filled with expensive items—laptops, tablets, and phones—making them attractive to thieves.
Labelling & Tracking Devices
Label belongings with names (but avoid full names for privacy reasons).
Use device tracking apps to locate lost or stolen gadgets.
School Lockers & Backpacks
Encourage your child to lock valuables in their school locker when not in use.
If lockers aren’t available, suggest carrying expensive items in a front pocket rather than an open backpack.
6. Stranger Danger & Personal Safety
Reinforcing personal safety lessons can help kids feel more confident when out and about.
What to Teach Your Child
Never accept lifts or gifts from strangers.
Stick to well-lit, busy areas when walking home.
Have a 'safe word' for family members picking them up unexpectedly.
Recognising Unsafe Situations
Trust their instincts—if something feels off, get to a safe place and seek help.
If approached by a stranger, they should move towards a trusted adult (teacher, shop assistant, or police officer).
7. Preventing Schoolyard Theft
Schools can be hotspots for petty theft. Help your child keep their belongings safe.
Keep It Simple
Avoid bringing unnecessary valuables to school.
Store money and phones in inside pockets rather than loose in backpacks.
Awareness & Responsibility
Encourage your child to be mindful of where they place their belongings.
Mark expensive items with a unique identifier to deter theft.
8. Preparing for Emergency Situations
Unexpected situations can arise—help your child be prepared.
Fire & Evacuation Drills
Familiarise your child with school emergency procedures.
Practise a fire escape plan at home.
What to Do If They Feel Unwell
Teach them who to approach if they feel sick at school.
Have a plan for them to contact you or another trusted adult.
Back-to-school season is about more than just books and homework—it’s about ensuring your kids feel safe and secure wherever they go. By taking a proactive approach to home security, cyber safety, and personal protection, you can start the school year with peace of mind.
