Back to School Home Security Tips

The back-to-school season is an exciting time for students and families alike, but it can also bring new security challenges. With kids heading off to college or managing busy schedules at home, it is essential to ensure your home remains safe and protected. Implementing effective home security tips now can prevent potential break-ins, safeguard valuables, and give you peace of mind while your children are away.

From simple habits to modern security systems, there are multiple ways to enhance safety. This guide covers practical steps, technology solutions, and community-focused strategies to make your home secure throughout the school year..

Stay Up-to-Date with Technology

Technology can play a major role in keeping your home secure, especially during the busy back-to-school season. Modern home security systems provide more than just alarms—they can help you monitor activity, protect valuables, and keep track of students’ comings and goings.

●      Use an Alarm System

If you don’t already have an electric alarm system installed in your home, consider the purchase. The main purpose of these systems is to alert you when there’s a problem such as a break-in. However, modern alarm systems tend to have extra functions, such as remote alerts that can notify you of changes. For example, you can set up your kids with separate passwords and be able to tell when they get home from school and enter the code. Other options allow for notifications when someone unlocks the door and then automatic relocking when they’ve closed it. This is a great option for forgetful kids (and adults!)

Some modern alarm systems have even more possibilities, such as video monitoring. You can set up motion alerts for problematic areas such as a gun or liquor cabinet, or monitor home activities or visitors at the doors.

If you do opt for an alarm system, make sure everyone in the family knows how to use it properly. Teach your kids how to arm and disarm the system, and when to do so. Also show them what to do in an emergency. For example, the system might have a panic button, which is an essential part of any home security checklist.

If you can, let your kids hear each type of alarm so they know what to expect: smoke and fire, carbon monoxide, burglar, etc. If an alarm goes off, you want every member of your family to know what to expect and how to react to the situation so they can stay safe.

●      Monitor Internet Usage

The Internet is an amazing resource that can benefit every aspect of our lives. It’s used more and more both for socialization and for research in school. With the social media boom, kids are spending more time on the Internet than ever, and it’s crucial to go over guidelines and safety rules with them.

How much you want to control your kids' social media and Internet usage depends on the situation, but it’s important to talk to them about the dangers. Make sure they know not to put important locational or personal information on public sites and why it’s dangerous to do so. Make sure they realize how permanent and public the information they put on the Internet can be, and to consider carefully what they want to put out there for the world to see. It’s possible that what your kids put on their social media might affect future job or college interviews.

The Internet makes it much easier to find new friends with similar tastes and hobbies, which is great. However, you need to make sure to warn your kids that strangers on the Internet might not be who or what they say they are. Cyber bullying is also a concern. It’ll be much easier to see the effects of it and react if you keep communication open with your kids about their Internet habits.

●      Cell Phones

Cell phones are a great invention that have changed how we communicate. People are constantly connected to people and information in a way that wasn’t available a few decades ago. If your kids are old enough for their own cell phone, you can use them to your advantage for safety. Get them into a routine of updating you on where they are going and who they are with. Encourage them to communicate with you and let you know if a problem arises so that you can help.

One side effect of cell phones is the fact that people tend not to memorize phone numbers. This is fine most of the time, but make sure your children know important emergency contacts by heart. If they lose track of their phone, they will need to know how to get in touch with important people. Make sure they know their own address and phone number, your cell number, and any other number that’s relevant, such as a neighbor or nearby family member. Also make sure they know how and when to call emergency services like 911.

Monitor Internet Usage and Cyber Safety

With the school year starting, students are spending more time online for schoolwork, socializing, and entertainment. Teaching college students home security and back-to-school safety online is just as important as physical security.

• Set Guidelines: Discuss safe internet practices with students. Emphasize not sharing personal information—like addresses, phone numbers, or schedules—on public platforms. Explain that what they post online can have long-term consequences, including impacts on college admissions or future job opportunities.
• Privacy Settings: Encourage students to use strong passwords and update them regularly. Teach them to adjust privacy settings on social media accounts to limit who can see posts and personal information.
• Recognize Threats: Educate students on the dangers of phishing emails, suspicious links, and online scams. Explain that not everyone online is who they claim to be and highlight the importance of reporting cyberbullying or suspicious activity.
• Secure Home Wi-Fi: Make sure your home Wi-Fi network is protected with a strong password and encryption. Consider setting up a separate guest network for visitors or students who use multiple devices, helping prevent unauthorized access to personal data.
• Digital Check-Ins: If students have their own devices, set up routine check-ins or family locator apps to ensure they are sa Open communication about online habits helps maintain both digital and physical home security.

Don’t Forget Traditional Methods

These tried-and-true methods don’t rely on electronics to keep you feeling safe and secure.

Plan for Everything

The most important aspect of preparing for the worst is planning out what to do before anything happens. In an emergency, there is rarely enough time to discover it, form a plan, and then enact the plan before things get dangerous.

Make sure the entire family knows what to do in various situations. Do the kids know exactly what to do in case of a fire? If you have a fire extinguisher, teach everyone how to use it. Have a contingency plan in place in case anyone misplaces their keys. Warn your kids not to enter the house if there are signs of a break-in such as broken windows or opened door. Tell them that if they do see such signs, they should find a trusty neighbor, call you, or even return to school to find a teacher.

Also establish rules within the home. Depending on the age of your children, discuss whether or not they can use certain appliances, such as the stove or oven.

Your children should also know who to trust. Instill in them that they can trust you to help when needed. “Stranger danger” is important to teach. Make sure that your children know not to follow or trust strangers who approach them. However, keep in mind that most abductions and abuse comes from people the child knows, so also let them know that they can come to you for help even from friends and family members. They should also be able to distinguish whether or not a stranger is part of emergency personnel, such as police or security.

Establish Routines

If your child has to walk to and from school, plan a safe route with them. They should walk between locations in the most direct way possible while avoiding busy intersections, vacant lots, and desolate areas. Encourage them to walk or bike with friends instead of alone. If they use a bike, stress the importance of using protective gear and a helmet. While walking, they shouldn’t use cell phones, earbuds, or other distractions that lessen awareness of traffic and their surroundings.

If your kids have to spend any time at home alone, teach them how to behave to stay safe. Make sure they know to lock the door behind them and keep it locked. Tell them not to open the door for visitors, even delivery people. If they need to communicate with someone outside, have them do it through the door, and tell them not to let the person know that they are home alone.

Know your child’s routine, so you can more easily tell when something goes awry. Know when they go to and return from school, and keep track of their extracurricular activities. Have them check in with you, especially if their plans change. Again, technology can aid you: family locator apps can help everyone stay in touch and keep track of everyone’s monthly schedules as they fill up with sporting events, meetings, and other activities.

With careful planning and open communication, you can make your family feel safer about home security. Organize schedules, make contingency plans, and make sure your kids know that they can come to you for help for any reason. Cell phones and alarm systems can make it easier to keep track of everyone’s comings and goings, but nothing beats old-fashioned awareness and emergency planning.

Use an Alarm System & Smart Home Security Technology for Students

Installing a security system is one of the most effective ways to protect your home, especially during the busy back-to-school season. Modern alarm systems do more than just alert you to break-ins, they can help manage daily routines, monitor activity, and provide peace of mind for both parents and students.

• Smart Home Integration: Many alarm systems now integrate with smartphones, allowing students to arm or disarm the system remotely. You can receive notifications when your child arrives home or if doors and windows are opened unexpectedly. This is particularly useful for college student home security or homes where students may be alone after school.
• Motion Sensors & Cameras: Motion detectors and indoor/outdoor cameras can monitor vulnerable areas such as entrances, hallways, or driveways. Some systems offer real-time video alerts, allowing families to respond immediately if suspicious activity occurs.
• Door & Window Sensors: These sensors notify you when doors or windows are opened. For students who live independently or in apartments, this is a key feature for preventing burglary and reinforcing safe habits.
• Emergency Features: Many modern systems include panic buttons, which students can use in an emergency to alert authorities or designated contacts. Some also allow integration with fire, smoke, and carbon monoxide detectors for comprehensive protection.
• Tips for Students: Teach students how to use the system, including arming/disarming, changing passcodes, and responding to alerts. Make sure they understand the importance of keeping doors locked, even at home, and that the system is an additional layer of home security, not a substitute for safe behavior.

Check out Complete Protection’s other blogs to find more tips, such as how to safely maintain your oven and stovetop.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should be included in a home security checklist for families with students?

A comprehensive home security checklist should include door and window locks, a working security system, outdoor lighting, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency contacts. For students, it should also cover back to school safety, including instructions on locking doors, checking in when arriving home, and securing valuables.

How can college students improve home security while living on their own?

For college student home security, students should invest in a reliable alarm system, use strong locks, keep doors and windows secured, and avoid sharing personal information with strangers. Motion sensor lights and smart locks can also help prevent unauthorized access.

What are some apartment security tips for students?

Apartment security tips for students include always locking doors and windows, using a door peephole or camera, setting timers for lights to create the illusion of occupancy, and keeping valuables out of sight. Students should also know emergency exits and maintain a list of trusted neighbors and contacts.

How can I prevent home burglary while my children are away at school?

To prevent home burglary, maintain a visible security system, use timers for lights, avoid posting schedules on social media, and ask neighbors to keep an eye on your property. Encourage students to lock doors and windows and follow back to school safety routines to reduce risks.

Why is a home security checklist important for families with teenagers?

A home security checklist ensures that all safety measures are in place before students leave for school. It helps teens understand responsibilities, reinforces back to school safety, and provides clear guidelines for college student home security or when they are alone at home.