The 5 Best Halloween Safety Tips from Security Experts!
It’s October and holiday season is here!
While it’s exciting, fun and the kids are going crazy for costumes and candy, Halloween can also be a frightening time for parents and caregivers! Add in COVID concerns and you’ve got a perfect storm!
Just last week, CDC director Rochelle Walensky offered her expert advice on Halloween safety .
Walensky recommended trick-or-treating outside, limiting crowds and avoiding crowded Halloween parties.
Today, let’s look at the BEST Halloween safety tips from Security Experts because who doesn’t want to have the best halloween ever?
1 Light Up Your Home
Whether you will be home, or not, during Halloween and the evening when you expect Trick or Treaters, light up your home.
While parents take their children out to Trick or Treat in the neighborhood, criminals use this holiday to look for opportunities for a quick and easy break-ins. We recommend you make sure your outdoor lighting is working, sensor lights are properly installed to go off when someone approaches your front door and if nothing else, place your indoor lights on timers
Don’t turn off the porch light to discourage Trick or Treaters, it might discourage them but it will encourage criminals!
2 Light Up The Kids!
Personal safety is important.
Keep kids safe from motor vehicles and falling or tripping in the dark, by making them visible in the dark as well as providing them with enough light for them to find their way onto sidewalks and to front doors!
Do this by
- adding reflective materials to their costume
- giving them a flashlight to hold (if they are old enough)
- walking with them with your own flashlight
- using headlamps (if they are old enough)
- putting lights in the Trick or Treat bag
- adding lights to strollers, carts, bikes, wagons etc.
3 Food Safety Rules
Kids love candy, and people love giving out candy to adorable, costumed kids. Not every child can tolerate all candy, and not all candy is safe for kids or all ages.
Make sure you go over the ‘food rules’ with your child. Make them understand why they should not eat anything on the road while Trick or Treating. Instead, pack a few snacks and a few bottles of water for your ‘team’ as you go on the road! They will get hot, thirsty and hungry and the temptation might just be too much if no alternative is available.
Kids with allergies like peanuts or gluten should never eat anything not parent-approved, and Halloween is no reason to make an exception!
4 Go Where You Are Familiar
It’s oh so tempting or parents to take a child to neighborhoods where there is a lot of candy to be had. Remember that if you are in unfamiliar territory, you sacrifice personal safety. If you don’t know where you are, you have no escape route if something goes awry and you are more likely to be lost, go into a bad part of town, or run into trouble.
For Halloween, stick to the familiar, or go Trick or Treating with friends who do know the neighborhood! If teenagers go out on their own, be strict with location limits!
5 Candles, Lights and Noise, Oh My!
Who doesn’t love decorating for Halloween. We’ve seen neighbors go all-out to set up elaborate haunted houses, crazy mazes and realistic display for this holiday. As you would with any type of decorations (think Christmas!), make sure to always adhere to safety standards as far as candles, plugged in lights and noise!
Kids scare easily and if you scare them with sudden, loud noises, a child could run into traffic!
While it is fun to scare, we recommend you save those types of decorations and elaborate set ups for private parties, not for the Trick or Treat portion of the evening!
Halloween 2021: Have a Blast But be Safe!
While we haven’t had the best luck in the last year and a half, many of us are ready to give Halloween 2021 a go! It goes without saying to continue to practice social distancing (as we did in 2020) and if you do not feel safe Trick or Treating, don’t go.
If you are looking for additional and more in-depth, in Personal Safety Tips for a Stress-Free and Safe Halloween we discussed safety tips for personal safety.
However you will be celebrating, we hope you have a blast!
How To Talk To Your Child About Online and In-Person Stranger Danger
While we as parents should be talking with our kids often about stranger-danger, it’s a subject that is often overlooked or dismissed as scary or as a difficult conversation to have.
Many parents rely on the school system to help educate their kids about imminent danger, both online and offline. Professionals encourage parents to keep the lines of communication open and talk with their children often about the dangers of befriending new people in-person and online.
This article provides tips on how to get this most important conversation started. Don’t stop there. Make it a topic of conversation often. Don’t think kids will know it all the first time the subject of stranger danger comes up.
How To Talk To Your Child About Online and In-Person Stranger Danger
Let’s start with the beginning.
Ask the School What They are Teaching and When
Know what the schools are teaching your child about sex, human trafficking, cyber security, human trafficking, abuse, self defense and more. Be aware what they are teaching, at what age, and what might be missing from this line up.
If you know your child has sex ed for a semester, lean in on that and have your own talk with your child. If the school is offering a self-defense class during PE, aks your child to demonstrate some moves and ask them when they should use self defense. Build upon what your child already knows about stranger danger and online danger to star the conversation.
Be Clear, Honest to the Point
Don’t go into too many details when talking about difficult subject. Be clear, honest and get to the point quickly.
Use Easy to Understand Words
At the same time, use easy to understand words and a vocabulary that matches their age. Don’t use hard to understand words unless you are willing to repeat yourself over and over. Explain things in simple ways.
Encourage The Kids To Ask Questions
Take time to listen: Once you’ve explained something about stranger-danger or cyber security, stop to listen. Ask the kids if they have any questions!
Make It an Ongoing Conversation
Talking about stranger danger and online predators is not a one-and-done conversation! Use news stories are a catalyst to bring it back up and to continue the conversation. Let your children read news stories that talk about cyber security, human trafficking, especially if the cases are about kids meeting strangers online. Talk about what went wrong.
Use Examples of What Can Go Wrong
Use real life examples to talk to kids about what can go wrong. Being abducted, opening the door for strangers, meeting someone online who is not who they say they are. Trusting strangers. Don’t ever lay the blame with the kids: always make sure your child knows to come to you with concerns for themselves or a friend.
Talk Not Just About What to Do, But Also About What NOT to Do
It’s easy to say “do this, do that”, but be sure to emphasize what NOT to do! Especially if you talk about using technology to keep kids safe: talk about using security cameras, an alarm system and the importance of phone tracking and being in touch with family members at all times.
Be in the Non-Judgement Zone
No matter what stories you read online about kids being kidnaped, hurt or deceived, don’t judge them in front of your child. Your child needs to know they can come to you even if they’ve made a mistake!
Keep Your Door Open For Follow up Questions
Last but not least – always, always, always keep your door open for follow up questions! Kids are curious and might need clarification. Stranger danger and the danger online predators pose won’t disappear just because you’ve mentioned them to your child. As your child grows into their teenage years, continue education them about these topics.
Arm your child with knowledge, confidence and self-defense tactics!
Heather of Strand Security teaches self-defense classes to kids, teens and adults on the Grand Strand. Email heather@strandsecurity.com for details, and check out Myrtle Beach Self Defense today!
Springtime Home Security Tips for Homeowners
Spring is Here!
As the south heats up, we spend a lot more time outside. When we spend more time outside, our home opens up as well and new security issues can arise as we might be a bit more careless around our home as far as security and personal safety is concerned!
Enjoy your Spring days, but don’t let your guard down.
3 Springtime Home Security and Safety Tips!
Whether you live in South Carolina, or elsewhere, take head and prevent crime and personal tragedies by taking safety and security measures before accidents and crime happen!
1 Open Doors and Windows Invite Trouble!
Open doors and unlocked and open windows invite trouble. Criminals always look ofr easy ways in and if you don’t know this statistic, it should scare you just a bit:
Most burglaries happen between the hours of 10 AM – 2PM.
That means during the day when you least expect it and when your guard is down. Therefore, always alarm your home, even if you are home and don’t leave doors unlocked and windows open when you do leave.
2 Swimming Pools and Personal Safety
While swimming pools in the south offer relief from heat and humidity, they are a safety hazard for families with kids. Did you know that children ages 1 to 4 have the highest drowning rates?
Tips to help your family stay safe in and around the water
- Supervise When in or Around Water. Designate a responsible adult to watch young children while in the pool and all children swimming or playing in or around water. Supervisors of preschool children should provide “touch supervision”, be close enough to reach the child at all times. Because drowning occurs quickly and quietly, adults should not be involved in any other distracting activity (such as reading, playing cards, talking on the phone, or mowing the lawn) while supervising children.
- Use the Buddy System. Always swim with a buddy.
Read more about pool safety here.
3 Prevent Bike Theft!
When the weather cooperates, we tend to want to go outside and exercise. While bikes may have been locked up all winter, now that it’s springtime, these are parked either outside or in an open garage.
Bikes are an easy ‘steal’ for a criminal looking for a quick win.
Don’t want your bikes to disappear? Alarm your home and your garage, install security cameras, like the Ring camera and keep an eye on your property at all times, even when you aren’t home!
Want More Security Tips or Need Specific Questions Answered?
We’d love the opportunity to talk with you. Give us a call anytime at 843-318-6392 with your concerns and questions.
Happy Springtime!
3 Valentine’s Day Tips To Secure Your Home While You Are Celebrating
Do You Have Plans for Valentine’s Day?
Happy Valentine’s Day! We wish you a wonderful day with the one you love. How will we spend Valentine’s Day? We will take time to be with our family!
Valentine’s Day is a great time to stop and thank those we love and those who have a daily impact on our lives.
At Strand Security, we love our customers, we love our staff and we love our community.
Valentine’s Day is a great time to let someone know you care. And what says ‘I care’ more than helping someone stay safe and secure? Here are 3 tips to secure your home while you are celebrating Valentine’s Day, or not!
1. Don’t Announce Your Valentine’s Day Plans Online
It seems so simple! Yet many people, teenagers and adults, make this mistake: they will announce their plans to go somewhere, online! Criminals do monitor social media and someone might see your post and know you are away for the day or the evening!
Posting your Valentine’s Day plans online is just not a smart move. Instead, wait until you are home to post pictures or a status.
It’s a simple way to secure your home and we certainly don’t wish a burglary on anyone! Holidays are prime days for criminals: they know people are excited, distracted and often let their guard down. Don’t be that person that is targeted!
2. Arm your System When You Leave
If you have plans to go out and celebrate Valentine’s Day, please remember to do this one thing! Nothing will spoil your day or night quicker than coming home to a home that’s been burglarized!
Before you leave for the day or evening, remember to arm your system. It’s a simple thing to do but an equally simple thing to forget as you rush out the door to make it to a romantic dinner. 😉
Arm your system before you leave and have a fantastic date, worry-free.
3. Arm Your System When You Stay In!
Now if you have prepared a lovely backyard Valentine’s Day dinner, or any other home cooked family meal, don’t forget to arm you home! If you are distracted and busy in the home, you still would want your home to be armed, especially if you are in the backyard, or occupied somewhere in the house not near a entrance way. It’s a good habit to get into: arm your home when you are home!
Valentine’s Day Is All About Love!
Nothing says “I love you” more than keeping those you love safe and sound and caring enough to to action.
If you do not have an alarm system in your home, we encourage you to consider the possibilities! Come talk to us and protect those you love.
Personal Safety Tips for a Stress-Free and Safe Halloween
The 2020 Holiday Season Will be a Bit Different!
As the year 2020 draws to a close, we are still struggling to make sense of this pandemic.
Wether you live in Horry County, Georgetown County, South Carolina or somewhere else in the USA, we just know your life has been affected!
Kids are learning virtually, seniors are homebound due to the danger of being exposed to COVID-19, millions are still out of work and others are working from home, and we are seeing yet another spike of new cases.
How will we navigate the upcoming holidays?
Personal safety is important to us. We want our customers and friends to be safe as well.
How Will We Navigate the Holidays During a Pandemic?
It’s safe to say things will be different.
- More shopping will be done online than ever before
- Less travel is expected to take place
- Families will be separated due to safety concerns
Each family will need to decide for themselves how to navigate the unknown of a pandemic holiday season.
We are glad however to have discovered some great resources for those who need ideas and suggestions.
CDC Guidelines for Personal Safety During a Pandemic Holiday Season
As many people in the United States begin to plan for fall and winter holiday celebrations, CDC offers the following considerations to help protect individuals and their families, friends, and communities from COVID-19. These considerations are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which holiday gatherings must comply. When planning to host a holiday celebration, you should assess current COVID-19 levels in your community to determine whether to postpone, cancel, or limit the number of attendees.
Low Risk Halloween Activities!
For parents who are concerned about potential COVID-19 exposure a ‘traditional Trick or Treat‘ activity might pose, here are some lower risk Halloween activity ideas.
Safe alternatives:
- Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
- Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
- Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
- Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
- Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house
Halloween Activities to Avoid in 2020!
While it’s tempting, the CDC urges all of us to do our part and avoid large gatherings and close contact with people outside our safe zone.
Here are their recommendations of activities to avoid:
- Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door
- Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
- Attending crowded costume parties held indoors
- Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
- Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
Safety First To Protect Those You Love!
While we all want to be able to be with family during the holidays, it might be wise to adjust your plans now to only get together with family members who are local to you. Avoid unnecessary travel, including airplanes.
Instead, use technology to connect virtually and make alternative plans.
Be safe. Stay healthy.
When You Find Yourself In Trouble, Remember This!
How Will You React When Attacked?
Unfortunately, many of us don’t know ‘how we will react’ until we are attacked.
You can never really completely prepare for the unexpected – but you can practice!
Personal safety is a huge concern and should be on top of your list of things to ‘prepare for”.
This list should also include
So how will you react when attacked?
This Is How One Woman Reacted When She Was Held At Gunpoint
Heather of Strand Security was held at gunpoint during a store robbery.
What she did was…FIGHT!
Her message to all of us is very clear.
NEVER GIVE UP
There is always something you can do, there is always a way to fight.
She learned this in high school during a self-defense class; she credits this class, and the knowledge she received, with saving her life during the armed robbery!
You know what else she’s doing?
Heather Is Now Fighting For Your Safety!
Just last week, Strand Security announced their next Self Defense Class!
On Dec. 3, you need to be there with us, so can be prepared should you ever be attacked.
Listen to, and watch, this video; both Heather and Dorien talk about why this self-defense class is so important and they each give you ONE THING they learned from the last class they took!
Don’t YOU want to know what to do when attacked, and practice those moves in a safe environment?
Join us on Saturday December 3 for the next self defense class.
Grab a Friend and Sign Up!
If you don’t want to go alone, we get that, too!
Grab a friend and sign up for our next class and if you don’t know whom to ask, check out this AWESOME list of people in your life who need self-defense!
Here is the info to sign up.
We can’t wait to see you on Saturday December 3 in Murrells Inlet!
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