"With busy schedules and back-to-back school activities, it's important for families to remember to keep safety and security a priority," said Rebecca Smith, vice president, marketing for Master Lock. "Now that school year routines are established, it's a perfect time to address safety topics with your family, such as guidelines for social media use and getting to and from home safely."
My family has been securing our house, shed and garage up as fall is here and winter is next. There will be months before we need to get into the shed to get our yard and summer items out. So everything is getting locked up or locked down.
Follow these top five tips from Master Lock to stay safe this fall:
1. Be aware of surroundings. As dusk and darkness creep up earlier each day, remind children to follow safety precautions on their way to and from home. Whether walking all the way home or just to a parked car, students are advised to be aware of their surroundings, stick with a friend or in a group, stay in well-lit areas, avoid short cuts and always observe traffic rules.
2. Establish a "home alone" routine. Sometimes situations arise where children and teens will be home without supervision, whether coming home after school to an empty house or due to busy weekend activities. It's natural for parents to feel uneasy at first, but with some planning, both parents and children can feel confident when the time comes. Set guidelines with your children to follow when home alone including, locking the door immediately after entering the house, calling to check in as soon as he or she gets home, not answering the door for any visitors and reviewing relevant emergency phone numbers and exit plans. Instead of hiding an extra set of house keys beneath a door mat or under a nearby rock, the Master Lock 5422D Portable Key Safe is the perfect solution for securely storing house keys outside so that children (or parents) are never left locked out.
3. Set ground rules for social media sharing. Teens are sharing more information about themselves on social media sites than ever before*. As parents, it's necessary to evaluate the information your child is sharing and advise them on security risks of sharing too much identifying information. Set ground rules for what your child can disclose online, and teach your child how to set privacy controls so that photos, location and personal information do not end up in the wrong hands.
4. Lock down valuables on the field. Lockers help keep gadgets, wallets, house or car keys and other belongings secure while in class, but what keeps them secure outside of school? Keep valuables locked up with a small, portable safe, such as the 5900D SafeSpace, which kids can easily fit in their backpacks, gym bags or lock down to a fixed object while attending after school activities.
5. Inspect to protect. While talking with your children about safety guidelines, fall is also an ideal time to create or practice a fire safety plan. Start with inspecting your home thoroughly ensuring all smoke detectors are functioning properly and review the sound of the alarm with children so they know what do to when it goes off. Make an evacuation plan by visiting each room in your home, designating two ways out and check that all windows and doors open easily. Lastly, designate a safe meeting place outside the home where your family can gather after exiting. This meeting place should be close to the home, but not too close to be in danger from the fire, and in front of the house so that fire safety personnel can easily see you as they arrive. It should also be somewhere easy to find in day or night, such as near a telephone pole, tree or mailbox. Most importantly, practice the escape plan. While 71 percent of Americans have a plan, only 47 percent of those have practiced it**.
I got the 265DCCSEN Door Security Bar to help lock down my house. I can use the Security Bar on my unused door for the winter or for my huge slide windows. The security Bar is multi functional. I found the Security Bar very easy to use and it set up with in seconds to secure my door.
Product Features:
*Dual function door security bar for hinged and sliding doors
*Resists forced entry through doors and sliding patio doors.
*Adjusts from 27-1/2" – 42" to fit most standard doors and sliding patio doors
*Top piece removes for sliding door application
*Rugged 20 gauge steel construction
*Pivoting ball joint assures full contact with floor
*Padded foot provides sure grip without scratching
You can connect with Master Lock on Facebook and Twitter.
Now for the giveaway: One lucky person will win a 265DCCSEN Door Security Bar. This is open to US and ends 11/14/13 @ 11:59 pm est. To enter, Simply do the tasks on the Giveaway Tools widget below and you're set to have a chance to win! Remember you can't win if you don't enter. It only takes one entry to win!
Good Luck, SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways readers! Thanks for entering!
Entries: 9884
Holly S. is the winner!
Disclaimer: I got the Master Lock Door Security Bar free to do this product review and was not paid for my response. Please note that SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways are not responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize.
Wow I had no idea that combination locks have gotten to be so technically advanced. You can now create your own code using numbers and letters and back up your code online. Also there is an option for guest codes. This is crazy.
They were founded in 1921 and are the largest manufacturer of padlocks.
I learned that President Obama visited MasterLock last year and discussed American manufactoring with them.
1933 MasterLock appeared at the Chicago World’s Fair
I learned that MasterLock makes electronic combination locks, which is so cool! I didn’t know they existed. Much cooler than those ones we used to use on our lockers at school.
The safety bar would be good for a regular door as well as sliding doors which is what I need. They are made of heavy gauge steel and have a rubber foot to keep it from slipping. I need this.
I like that they are American Made 🙂 I also like their new dial lock!
I love the new padlocks! So many times I forgot my combination, the key could really help with that. No more begging for my combination (though I really like my combination lock).
I love Master Lock have used them for years, I would like a new lock for our front gate that has bigger hook, think this one would work for us – Covered Laminated Padlocks – No. 6121KABLJ – 2″
I now know that Master Lock makes electronic combination locks which my son wants one.
I love that the website allows you to register your lock or combination! What a great service.
I like the new dialSpeedâ„¢ Electronic Combination Lockâ„¢!
I like the Cable Locks
8122D
I learned that Master Lock is recognized around the world as the authentic, enduring name in padlocks and security products
You can find all the instructions to reset combinations on their website.
chain and chain lock would be nice to have. I live in an apartment and just got a new grill on my deck. Would love it to be locked down so nobody steals it.
I learned they are the largest global manufacturer and marketer of padlocks
Master Lock was founded in 1921. They are the largest global manufacturer and marketer of pad locks. Thank you for the super giveaway opportunity. Keep up the terrific blogging.
founded in 1921
I learned that they offer a nice selection of security products including electronic padlocks. I like the quality of their products.
I learned the 3 most common places people tend to hide their valuables, all of which are known to most thieves. I am using 1 of them!!
My Honey/Hubby is an avid bicycle rider and lover and he commutes to and from work (45 miles RT) and he cherishes his beloved and pampered cycles! I would love to get him (MasterLock’s “Bicycle Street Smart Security” and I think the perfect one would be their: http://www.masterlockbike.com/products/product_details/8200D
Thanks!!
I like that they are American Made
Master Locks has cable locks for bicycles that keep your bike safe.
I learned there’s a lot more to choosing a lock than just grabbing one. Where will it be used, how, indoor / outdoor, etc.
ilike the new type of the lock and then they are comng up with new idea thanks for hte giveway
Harry Houdini needs Master Lock’s help
By 1925 Harry Soref became a recognized icon with padlocks. Escape artist Harry Houdini visited Soref after he was unable to escape from a pair of handcuffs. Soref advised Houdini on trick places to hide padlock keys between his fingers and under his tongue during stage shows.
How funny!
I learned that they have all different kinds of locks, From deadbolts to padlocks. But my favorite is the one your giving away!!
this i could really use.
they have a large variety of keyed & combination lock
Pres Obama visited them
Master Lock was founded in 1921
I like the electronic padlocks.
I learned that they were founded in 1921 and they are the largest global manufacturer and marketer of padlocks.
I learned that they have electronic combinations, which is great!
What a great product! Thank you for sharing.
I like how they give you suggestions on using their products in real life situations. I was just talking about people sharing personal information on social media. Adults and kids both will often post when they are gone on vacations or their work schedule. Remember lots of people will see that. Also, I tell my kids to trust their instincts if they don’t feel safe call me, the police, a neighbor….It’s good to be proactive in keeping our homes, belongings, and family safe.