BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Florida-based ADT Security Services expert Patrick Fiel is offering tips for parents to keep their children safe as schools across the country begin classes.
Fiel, a former security chief for Washington, D.C., schools, is encouraging parents to get involved with their children's security by engaging the school system in an effort to assure appropriate prevention measures are implemented. The security expert is offering a list of six tips for parents to become more involved with securing school campuses.
At the top of the list, Fiel recommends opening a dialogue with children about school security. He also is encouraging parents to visit the child's campus and talk with an administrator about the security plan, find out the plans, procedures and technologies working well at other schools and work with other parents, among other security measures.
"Parents, who are also taxpayers and voters, have the power to effect change if they are willing to become involved both individually and collectively," Fiel said, in a statement. "All members of the education community, including parents, need to be involved in helping provide a safe and secure environment where children can learn without fear."
Fiel also recommends parents can become influential as school board members or in the Parent and Teachers Associations at schools.
"School administrators and teachers cannot be expected to solve the problems of school violence alone," said Fiel. "Parents have to share the burden. By talking with their children, keeping informed, working with other parents, school administrators and law enforcement officials, parents can play a vital role in keeping their children safe at school."
