It's that time of year once more. The weather is beginning to get cooler, the summer holidays are coming to an end, and children of all ages are going back to school. Last time, we gave some suggestions about how to keep your children safe as they return to school. But what about after school? What can you do to help keep your child safe once the final bell has rung? In this article, we're outlining our top eight after-school safety tips.
8 Essential After-School Safety Tips for Kids
1. Set up clear rules and routines
Children do not always understand the risks involved in going home from school, remaining unsupervised, or moving from one after-school activity to another, which is why it's necessary to establish clear and consistent rules regarding what they should do when the school day is over.
Stick to simple, suitable-for-your-child-and-easy-to-remember expectations. Frequently go over these rules so that your child not only knows what they are but also understands why obeying them helps to keep them safe. Sometimes having a quick review or engaging in a 'what would you do if...' discussion can help reinforce positive habits.
2. Learn how to deal with strangers when you are a child.
It is important to talk to children of all ages about staying safe when meeting strangers. The aim should be to avoid frightening them and instead help them feel confident in knowing what to do if an stranger makes them uncomfortable.
Talk about actual situations, for example, what you should do if a stranger offers you a lift, asks you to come nearer, or appears to be tailing you. Be sure that your child understands they are allowed to shout, run, fight back, get help by drawing attention to themselves, and go straight to a safe adult should they feel in danger.
3. Set up a reliable check-in plan
When your child leaves school there should be a reliable method of them telling you where they are; this might be by sending a text message, making a phone call, receiving a location-sharing alert, or checking in with another reliable adult.
A consistent check-in routine gives you peace of mind and helps your child build responsible habits. Whether they are heading home, going to practice, or stopping at an after-school program, you should have a clear way to confirm they arrived safely.
4. Make sure you are aware of their after-school schedule.
Before the school year gets busy, take time to review your child’s regular after-school routine. Younger children should know exactly who is picking them up, where they should wait, or who will meet them at the bus stop. If they attend an after-school program, make sure they recognize the staff members and know where to go each day.
For older children and teens with more independence, stay aware of where they plan to go, who they will be with, and when they are expected home. Having these details ahead of time makes it easier to notice when something seems off and respond quickly if plans change.
5. Keep an eye on online and social media activity.
Social media can offer clues about your child’s social circle, plans, and potential safety concerns. While it’s important to respect your child’s privacy, parents should still stay engaged with how their children use digital platforms.
It would be a good idea to get in touch with your child about the apps they use, take notice of their public posts, and be aware of any school-related hashtags or online trends in your area. When you see behaviour that is a concern, or threats, or evidence of bullying or unsafe activity, you should contact the school or the relevant authorities if needed.
6. Getting ready for emergencies that are related to school
Your child should know what steps to take if they ever feel unsafe after school. Work together to create a safety plan for situations such as being followed, missing a ride, getting separated from a group, or feeling threatened by another person.
This plan may include contacting a parent, going to a trusted neighbor’s house, entering a nearby business, calling 911, or finding a school staff member. Practicing these steps ahead of time can help your child react quickly and calmly in a stressful situation.
7. Review the rules concerning bus and transportation safety.
If your child rides the bus, walks, bikes, or uses another form of transportation after school, review the safety rules regularly. Children should understand how to behave while waiting for the bus, riding it, and getting off at their stop.
If they are walking home from the bus stop, they should go over the route together. You must remind them to remain in well-lit, visible areas, avoid taking shortcuts through isolated areas, and never interact with strangers during the journey. Repeating this helps the safety habits become natural.
8. Use a smart home security system to have peace of mind.
A home security system can help you make sure your child has safely gotten home from school. Using smart alerts, cameras, doorbell video, and connected locks, you can keep an eye on arrivals and see when someone enters or leaves the house.
For instance, a video doorbell with two-way talk enables you to see your child as they arrive home and talk to them immediately. Whether you have an indoor or outdoor security camera, you can check in on them, ask about their day, and make sure everything looks okay. Using a smart door lock, each child can have their own individual entry code so that you will get a notification each time they unlock the door. You are also able to lock the door remotely via the app if they forget, thus providing an extra level of security when you're not at home.
