This blog post is sponsored by ADT.

As a parent, nothing is more important than keeping your child safe, but this can be a difficult job if you work full time.

Remember that safety starts at home. So if you have to leave your kids at home unsupervised, it’s important to talk to them about how to respond to people at the door or on the phone.  Instruct them to always keep the doors locked and to never answer the door unless they know the person. You should also make sure that children know that they shouldn’t let phone callers know they are by themselves.

With regular reports of students being abducted or attacked by bullies or criminals on their way to and from school, it’s vital to make sure there is an adult with your child at all times outside the home. Having watchful adults along school routes will help keep your child safe. If you have to leave for work before your kids head off to school, ask a trusted neighbor to walk them to and from the bus stop. You can also work with school officials to request that extra police patrols be present in the 30 minutes before and after school, and reach out to local neighborhood watch groups and ask them to provide volunteers to keep an eye on kids as they walk to school each morning and afternoon.

If you have decided that your child is old enough to venture into the world without an adult, prepare them by walking through your neighborhood together and pointing out safe areas and potentially dangerous places. Show them where to go if they ever need help and tell them to let you know who they are with and how you can reach them at all times. You can help keep your children safe by arming them with the knowledge and tools they need to navigate the world safely on their own.

For more safety and security tips, visit ADT's Home Security Source website. Check out ADT on Twitter, Pinterest and YouTube for more information.