In an ideal world, your kids would never have to stay home alone, but life happens. Perhaps you have to work late or your kids get out early from school. And while you may think that your pre-teens are grown up enough to handle an afternoon alone, there are always risks that demand constant vigilance. Here’s how to monitor your home and breathe a little easier when your kids are there alone.

Smart Tech Surveillance

Put your smartphone and other technology to good use by installing software and upgrading the hardware to transform them into a surveillance system. You don’t need to spend a lot to get a lot for your money either. Use these items to enhance remote monitoring.

Apps

Plenty of surveillance apps exist for all operating systems, ranging from simple monitoring to in-depth night monitoring with motion sensor detection. The best part about apps is that they can be used across multiple devices and you can pay for the level of protection that gives you the greatest peace of mind.

Old Phones

If you have an old smartphone collecting dust in your junk drawer, give it new life by turning it into a monitor. Regardless of brand or carrier, old phones can connect to your home’s Wi-Fi, allowing them to be used as makeshift surveillance systems. Tutorials exist online to walk you through the process, but don’t be afraid to seek out professional help if you’re stuck.

Baby Monitors

Think your kids have outgrown the classic baby monitor? Think again. Baby monitors have evolved over the last couple of decades, now producing high-quality images, even at night, and crystal-clear audio without all the crackling. Most baby monitors are simple to use and can be installed all over your home, making them an affordable alternative to more advanced surveillance setups.

Video Systems

Installing a complete video surveillance system in your home might sound extreme, but you can choose the level of monitoring that fits your needs and budget. A surveillance system gives you unparalleled access to your space while you’re away. Keep in mind that monitoring isn’t synonymous with security – you can install a surveillance system, a security system or both.

Low-tech Safety Advice

While you’re upgrading your home’s surveillance tech, take the time to teach your kids the basics. Make sure that they know how and when to call 911, which neighbor’s door to knock on in an emergency and how to get into the house when – not if – they misplace their keys. And don’t forget to let your neighbors know when to expect them home. Your community also plays an important role in keeping an eye out for you while you’re gone.

Maricel Tabalba is a freelance writer who is interested in writing about smart gadgets, emerging tech trends and environmentally friendly advice. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Communication from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

As fall returns and the holiday festivities begin, we want to make sure you and your family take the necessary steps to stay safe! Whether it’s parking your car to go to your favorite holiday party or loading up after a long day of shopping, it is important to be aware of your surroundings.

Midtown Houston and HPD also encourage you to stay safe! See their safety tips below to help protect yourself, your valuables and your vehicle this season:

BE AWARE of your surroundings at all times.

PARK ONLY in well-lit areas near other vehicles.

PARK ONLY in high traffic areas of a parking lot.

DO NOT jeopardize your safety or the safety of your family for convenience.

REMOVE all interior valuables from plain sight. Lock these items in the trunk.

DO NOT leave any articles of value in your car unattended, especially overnight. (Cell phones, laptops, money, purses, etc.)

LOCK all doors and roll up all windows.

IF YOU NOTICE anyone acting suspicious or hanging around the parking lot, return to the store or business and notify management or call police at 713-884-3131.

When store shelves are filled with all things pumpkin spice and Thanksgiving centerpieces sit next to sparkling reindeer displays, you know the holidays are here! Amidst the turkey day prep, travel planning and tinsel topping tree trimming, it can be easy to forget about one of the most important holiday gifts of all; your safety. So here are some things to remember.

When it comes to Thanksgiving, the day is synonymous with the four ‘F’s; family, friends, food and football. But there is another ‘F’ that comes to mind as well…Black FRIDAY! Millions of Americans take to streets to shop till they drop on Black Friday, some even getting a jump-start with sales that begin Thanksgiving Night. Before you head out to brave the crowds, remember to stay alert as you navigate stores and parking lots. For starters, never buy more than you can carry, thieves and criminals look for folks who exit stores with their arms full. People who do so are easy targets for bad actors. Second, park wisely. Lots are going to be full and parking road rage happens. So, breathe, relax and remember to take your time. Never park too far away thinking you’re out-smarting the crowds. …And if you must, make sure you find a spot that is very well lit. Lastly, once those all-important purchases are in the car, make plans to head straight home so you can tuck away the fruits of your shopping labor in the safe keeping of your home. If you have to continue on to other holiday errands, make sure your purchases are well secured out of sight. For more information on Black Friday safety tips, visit the National Crime Prevention Council’s website:

http://www.ncpc.org/about/news/you-need-a-personal-safety-plan-for-black-friday

Once you’ve awakened from your turkey induced, tryptophan slumber and it’s time to trim the tree, it’s still important to keep safety at the top of your holiday giving list. When it comes to Christmas and holiday safety, keeping your home safe and secure from visitors other than St. Nick, is key. As the season approaches, many of us find ourselves out and about at holiday parties, traveling to see family or even venturing off to a holiday island getaway to truly unplug from the stress of the season under the shade of a beach cabana! If this all sounds familiar, here is some safety planning food for thought. Avoid posting your vacation and time-away-from-home plans on social media. While social media certainly has its benefits, it has become an all-too-easy-forum for criminals to track your every move. So keep your plans private. …And speaking of social media and the internet, many Americans take to online shopping for all their holiday shopping needs. If you do so, be mindful of the delivery of those coveted packages. Don’t let boxes pile up at your door. The holiday season is the gift that keeps on giving for thieves who case neighborhoods, looking for unattended packages. If you can’t arrange for package deliveries when someone will be home to receive them, ask a neighbor to pick up the package. That way it will be kept safe and sound and out of the hands of criminals. When it comes to online shopping, use only trusted sites that will encrypt important personal information. While online shopping is convenient it sadly can provide a window into your life, making you an easy target for identity theft. So just as you are vigilant about making your holiday lists and checking them twice, make sure you keep those who are naughty at bay by taking extra care when shopping online. For more online shopping safety tips visit:

https://usa.kaspersky.com/resource-center/preemptive-safety/online-shopping-tips

The holidays are a time for fun, family, friends and creating memories that last a lifetime. Remember to plan ahead during all the fun and festivities, so that times of celebration and joy, don’t turn into a time of sadness and tragedy.

For more general holiday safety tips check out this additional resource from the National Safety Council.

http://www.nsc.org/learn/safety-knowledge/Pages/news-and-resources-holiday-safety.aspx

May your holiday season be safe, merry and bright!

Bullying has been a big issue for generations of kids, and through the years it has changed its form, from way back to when formal schools started to today people have bullied others for reasons of race, wealth, appearance, heritage, just any little thing people can come up with that is petty and attempts to make people feel bad; however bullying now has a new form and with that new form comes new ways in which to commit those horrible acts. I am indeed talking about cyberbullying

A form of bullying that has far more cruel and permanent than traditional forms of bullying. Cyberbullying is what it sounds like, a form of bullying does on the internet, or over text messages. Much like physical bullying cyber bullying is used to make fun of and be little an individual, Cyberbullying is usually done by one or more people who ridicule someone, while physical bullying is indeed bad, cyberbullying can be far more humiliating for a number a reasons, bullies can impersonate their victims on a social media, and from there post either embarrassing, controversial, or forms of pornography to humiliate them and get the victim in trouble. Thankfully things like that are very extreme cases, though a lot of this can be done thanks to the internet’s anonymity.

It is very important to realize when and if your child is being cyberbullied, keep tabs on their social media to see if any mean comments and tags are made on their page. Don’t comment on the comments or tags that can make things far worse. Rather, show it to your child’s school, as many schools have an anti-cyber bullying policy and can track them down, saving your child lots of embarrassment

Cyberbullying is a growing form of bullying it’s not going to go away overnight, and because of how the internet’s nature is it is very difficult to destroy and because of that it is paramount to speak up about these issues, to parents, teachers, principals, your local police, anybody with a type of authority so we can be rid of at least one cyberbully at a time, and that’s far better than allowing others to harm, and be little us.

Remember to stay safe online, keep your accounts private and try to only give your account info to those you trust, staying in a private mode can help a few ways, for one no one but your followers can view and comment on your posts. Block accounts that may start a cycle of bullying, and block any other accounts that may be made by the same person. Again it’s not much but it is certainly something you can do to protect yourself from cyberbullying

Pumpkins adorn sidewalks, store shelves are filled with candy and spooky décor hangs from home and business entry ways. That can only mean one thing, Halloween is fast approaching! Sure, this holiday season ‘kickoff’ event is chiefly about the treats like fun costume parties and of course the sugar overload of Halloween candy, but Halloween can sadly mean scary times if you don’t take steps to protect you and family. Ironically, while many think of October as the month for Halloween, it is also National Crime Prevention month. So here is important information to keep you and your family safe on this Spooktacular day.

When it comes to Halloween safety, of course much of it is centered around trick or treating.  At the heart of it all, is proactive planning and staying alert and vigilant.  Auto pedestrian accidents top the list of Halloween safety hazards related to trick or treating. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) children are 14 times more likely to be hit by a car on Halloween, than any other day. So, what steps can you and your family take to avoid being a tragic statistic? For starters, make sure trick or treaters are clearly visible to drivers. Look for costumes that come with reflective fabric or markers. If that’s not possible, always carry flashlights while trick or treating.  Trick-or-treating in a group can also be helpful. So, gather up your friends and neighbors and make it a true trick-or-treating affair!

Fire hazards are also something to keep top of mind. The two C’s; Costumes and Candles, are the biggest culprits. The National Fire Protection Association suggests buying only costumes that are labeled “flame resistant” or “flame retardant”. When it comes to those spooky Halloween candles and glowing Jack-o-Lanterns, make sure lit candles are never left unattended. As for the flickering orange glow of those Jack-o-Lanterns, keep trick-or-treaters at a distance, and admire that lit pumpkin artistry from afar.

Of course there is another ‘C’ to think about on Halloween..(drumroll please)…CANDY! Being smart and vigilant with your treats is just as important as trick-or-treat street safety, costumes and candles. First, never accept candy from strangers…and that goes for both children and adults. Parents, remember to check your children’s candy before they dive in and enjoy their stash.

Finally, here are a few other tips to think about as the ghoulish night approaches. First, if you’re hosting a party, make sure you’re well aware of everyone who comes to your home. Halloween provides an opportunity for people to hide behind costumes and disguises which unfortunately can create dangerous scenarios for people looking to do others harm.  Second, don’t answer the door if you’re not certain that trick-or-treaters or party guests are on the other side of it. Halloween night can provide a dangerous backdrop for home invasions. Lastly, if you See something, Say something. No matter how small or insignificant something may seem, if it’s out of place or causes you to pause, call your local police department.

For more information on Halloween safety tips visit:

http://www.nsc.org/act/events/Pages/Halloween-Safety.aspx

https://www.familyeducation.com/life/halloween-safety/halloween-safety-hazards

http://www.ncpc.org/programs/crime-prevention-month/crime-prevention-month-and-halloween

… and as always remember to stay alert, stay prepared and have a SAFE and Spooktacular Halloween!