My boys have ten weeks of summer vacation, and we're already past the halfway mark. I know I say this every year, but summer goes by way too quickly! It seems like no time at all before we’re starting to think about reading that required book, wondering which teachers my boys will have, and shopping for clothes and school supplies. When I was a kid, we shopped for pencils, folders and notebook paper. For today’s kids, the shopping list is much longer -- and more expensive. Graphing calculators, laptop computers, cell phones and tablets are practically a “must-have” these days in order to succeed in school.The addition of these pricey items to my children’s backpacks means that we’re more concerned about theft. Fortunately, Master Lock has given a lot of thought to these security concerns and has designed products that perfectly fit students’ needs, whether they’re in first grade or grad school. Following are some tips and products to help ensure that students are able to keep their valuable school items properly stored and secured.
• It’s Called a “Locker” for a Reason: The purpose of lockers, whether at school or an athletic facility, is to keep valuable items safe and secure. But that security can be compromised without a trustworthy lock. Master Lock has several great options. For less than $15, the 1500iD Speed Dial™ Set-Your-Own Combination Lock (shown at left) is a sound choice, and it’s available in four fun colors (red, purple, blue and black) that kids love. This lock is also unique because it opens with a combination of directional movements, which may be easier for your child to remember than a series of numbers. However, if you’re still concerned that they’ll forget how to open the lock, pick up a Master Lock 4400D Indoor Bluetooth Padlock, which is operated by a Smartphone instead of a combination or physical key. Watch the video below to see how it works!
• Protect the Valuables in the Backpack: Kids’ backpacks contain more than books these days. They often include phones, tablets, calculators and money. It only takes a second for someone to reach inside and grab that beautiful new laptop your child got for his or her birthday. Thus, a backpack lock is strongly encouraged. Master Lock has several options to choose from. The Master Lock 1550DAST Backpack Lock (shown at right) comes in four colors so your child can easily identify his or her own backpack among the sea of bags in a classroom. My children have a Master Lock 1548DCM Set Your Own Combination Padlock, which allows them to set and reset their combination whenever they become concerned that someone has figured it out. Like the 1550DAST, this lock also comes in four colors to help your child personalize his or her bag. 
• Keep It Safe on Campus: I’ve sent two boys off to college and have two more to go, so we’ve become quite familiar with the safety concerns on campus. For the first time, our kids are living on their own, with very little privacy in a dorm room or apartment. That’s why it’s so important to make sure that valuables are secure when not in use. We love the Master Lock 5900D SafeSpace (shown at left) because it keeps smaller valuables, such as cell phones, MP3 players, jewelry and identity cards, stored securely to safeguard against theft. It even includes a durable cable, so it can be wrapped around a fixed object or used as a carrying handle. And for the laptop, the SentrySafe PL048E Portable Laptop Safe is ideal. As you can see in the photo on the right below, our laptop fits perfectly in the safe, with room to spare for cords and other accessories. The bottom is even padded to help protect the computer. It also comes with a tethering cable to deter quick grabs. 
Of course, keeping electronics and other valuables safe is important, but don’t forget to discuss personal safety with your children. Among other things, remind them to always walk in pairs, report any bullying they observe or experience, and never give out personal information online. Talk with your children about security, and be sure they know how to use the Master Lock products you provide for their safety.
For more back-to-school safety tips and products, visit the Master Lock website or connect with Master Lock via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest or YouTube.
Disclaimer: As a member of the Master Lock Live Secure Safety Squad, I receive product samples and compensation to facilitate my blog posts. However, all opinions are 100% my own.
