Keep Kids Safe During Back-to-School Season: Tips From a California Private Investigator

Private Investigative Services Can Help Keep Kids Safe

September is a month when many busy parents are focused on getting their children back into the school routine. Buying clothes, school supplies, and learning bus routes are all on the agenda for kids and their parents that are preparing to start another year of learning.

For working parents, hiring a sitter, nanny or  tutor or leaving kids with after-school care programs is a necessity because of a work schedule that lasts longer than the school day. If you are a parent looking to make sure your child is safe when they are not at school or under your direct supervision, there are a few important steps to take.

Where Are Your Children During The School Year?

Although you may be happy that your child is starting a new school year filled with learning and socializing, the start of a school year presents many safety risks for children. Some of the most common dangerous situations that children face involving school are:

• Getting to and from school: not every parent has the luxury of being able to drop their children off and pick them up from school every day. School buses are a great form of transportation to resolve this issue, but kids can fall victim to predators and bullying while they are waiting for the bus or riding it to and from school. Even a small amount of surveillance can help to show you what's going on so you have an idea of what the real story is.
• After school: children that walk home or decide to go home with a friend may be putting themselves in harm's way, especially if they make changes to their after school schedules without telling anyone
• Extracurricular activities: even school-sanctioned clubs and organizations can pose danger for children, especially if they take place at night or in unsafe areas. You must do your best to know where your child is going and when so that you will know if something is wrong

Not only do parents have to be concerned with situations that their children are involved in, they also need to worry about the people that their kids are around. Consider the case of Lloyd Lindquist. We were horrified to read about what happened to the 78-year old math tutor at Lake Sumter State College in Florida. WFTV reported that Lindquist was using hidden cameras to watch teenagers shower and use the bathroom in his home. How can parents avoid situations like this as their kids prepare to go back to school?

Keeping Your Child Safe Inside And Outside Of School

The first step in keeping kids safe is making sure they know all of the necessary emergency information. Kids need to know their full name, your full name, address, home phone number, and an emergency number where they can reach their parents. You also need to educate kids about the importance of refusing rides or gifts from strangers and avoiding people and situations that make them feel uncomfortable.

Another excellent way to keep your child safe is through private investigative services. There are several ways that private investigators can help children stay safe. If you are going to be hiring a new tutor, coach or after-school caregiver, for example, you may have a private investigator run an advanced background check on them to make sure they do not have a criminal history.

If your child is going to a friend's house or other location where you suspect wrongdoing is happening, or your child has voiced suspicions or has seems afraid or withdrawn around certain teachers, childcare profiders, coaches, etc., a private investigator can provide surveillance assistance to help you be sure that things are on the up-and-up.

Take the necessary steps to keep your children safe by educating them thoroughly and hiring a private investigator to help ensure they are not put into dangerous situations. Contact Linked Investigations to learn more about the private investigative services that can keep your kids safe when their not in your custody. Give us a call at 714-432-9911 or email us: info@linkedinvestigations.com

Mike Garroutte, owner of Linked Investigations is a licensed Los Angeles private investigator. His services has been used to keep his clients and their loved ones safe for more than 30 years.