Talking To Your Children ...
Talking To Your Children About Home Invasion: Things To Keep In Mind
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The burglary incident involving Bollywood Actor Saif Ali Khan and his family is a powerful reminder, emphasizing the importance of talking to our little ones about the potential dangers of home invasions and taking necessary precautions for their safety. Reading this blog will help you understand how you can go about it.
What Happened At Saif Ali Khan’s Home
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At around 2:00 am, an armed intruder broke into Saif Ali Khan’s home in Bandra while the family and staff were asleep. The intruder went straight into Jeh’s (Saif’s younger son), where he was faced by the nanny, who raised the alarm. The family quickly woke up and rushed to the children's room, where Saif attempted to confront the intruder but was injured in the process. Saif reportedly sustained six stab wounds and was immediately rushed to the hospital by his elder son, Ibrahim.
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How To Talk To Your Child About Home Invasion
Talking to your child about a serious topic like home invasion is not easy but it is extremely important. You need to do this in age-right language as per your child’s age so that your child is able to understand and follow. Every child is different and so is their ability to understand things. There are three things that you need to keep in mind, while you help your child understand the danger and how to tackle it.
Reassurance
When you bring up the topic, make sure you reassure your child that you are there with them and when they follow these steps, it’s going to be alright. The child does not need to feel that it’s going to be a hopeless situation. Your little one needs to know that you have got things in control and you will never let anything bad happen to them. Hold their hands while you speak to them, and give them a hug if they show any signs of worry. Make sure that they know that you have got their back, no matter what.
It is normal for a child to be confused and ask questions. Listen to them carefully when they ask you anything through the chat. Ensure that it’s a dialogue and just doesn’t become an instruction manual on how to be safe. While you address their questions, please ensure to acknowledge and address their emotions as well.
Raising awareness
When it comes to educating your child about stranger danger, the most important thing is using age-appropriate words. While older children can grasp a slightly detailed concept, for younger ones, you need to use simple and easy-to-understand words, sentences, and examples. Do not, I repeat, do not use graphics.
For instance, you can say, “Some people may try to come into our house without Mama’s/Papa’s permission. If that happens, you know that something is wrong.”
Developing & Discussing A Plan
When you are developing a safety plan, keep in mind that it is easy to follow for your child too. They might not be able to react to such situations as vigilantly as you do, but they need to understand what they need to or don’t need to do. Identify the safe spaces in different areas of the house, which can be accessed by your child.
Create a communication plan and make sure the child knows whom to reach out to in such a situation. You can keep important numbers on the speed dial. You can set some code words or safe words to communicate with your kids to avoid confusion.
An easy and effective way to do it is role play. Walk your child through the whole scenario and ask them to react in a manner as they would if it was a real intruder. Repeating it a few times will help them be more confident.
Tips To Prevent Home Invasion
Here are a few tips that you can follow as a parent to lower the chances of a home invasion
Install A Security System
If you don’t already have a security system installed, getting it done is a good starting point. Nowadays, you will find a lot of options that offer added safety features. One such option is motion-activated cameras that work on wifi. This allows remote monitoring even when you are away from home. Make sure the cameras are positioned in a way that they cover all the entrances like the front door, back door, balcony doors, windows, Nanny’s/house help’s room, and garage.
Motion Detection Lights
If possible, install motion detection lights around your house as these are a great deterrent for keeping unwanted visitors away. Burglars are usually active during the night. These lights are up whenever someone tries to pass by, giving an impression that the house is well-monitored. You can get these installed in your backyard, driveway, pathway, and garage entrance.
Leave The Lights On
When you are away from your home, make sure you keep a light or two on, which will give the impression that there is someone at home. Empty houses are easy and more appealing targets. You can go for lighting timers that automatically switch on and off at specific intervals.
Check All Entrances
Always check the doors and windows to make sure they are locked, especially before going to bed or if you are heading out. You don’t want to be surprised by an intruder when you come back. Whether you live on the ground floor or the 14th floor, make sure that all the possible entry points are secure.
Install Smart locks
Smart locks offer additional security as they need proper authorization, making it very difficult for unwanted visitors to enter your premises without your knowledge. Some smart locks also come with cameras that capture pictures or videos whenever someone is trying to enter your house.
Inform Your Neighbours
Inform your neighbours when you are away for a longer period. Having someone on the watchout won’t hurt. You can ask them to be a little vigilant and you can return the favour when they are away themselves for a vacation.
Have you tried any of these tips? Do let us know if you can think of any other useful tips.
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