NEW HAVEN, CT, September 2, 2014 – As children head back to school, Yale Locks & Hardware has partnered with home security pioneer Protect America on a campaign designed to help parents safeguard children who are home alone after school. The HomeSafe campaign provides parents with information and recommendations for keeping their “latchkey” children safe.
The HomeSafe initiative includes a downloadable brochure with a checklist and emergency contact form to be filled out by parents and placed on the refrigerator or other easily seen location. There’s also a HomeSafe Fact Sheet that highlights the importance of safety at home and provides tips for children who spend time home alone.
Among the HomeSafe recommendations is for parents and children to create an emergency plan that includes who to call in an emergency and where to go during a crisis. Parents are also advised to discuss possibly dangerous situations, such as a stranger coming to the door, and to discuss what around the house is strictly off limits. These would include gas stoves, knives, matches, swimming pools and medication.
“We’ll always worry about our children, but a frank and open discussion about rules and a clear plan of action will help put parents’ minds at ease and make children feel more comfortable when they’re home alone,” said Yale Residential General Manager Jason Williams.
“It would be a perfect world if we could always keep an eye on our children,” said Protect America President and Chief Operating Officer Scott Fleming. “Obviously, parents can’t be everywhere, so having a simple plan is truly invaluable. With that in mind, we hope the HomeSafe campaign will provide families with the information they need to have those important discussions.”
