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Alone - A Parent's Guide Last
updated 2/18/2008
Your
ten year-old comes home from school at 3:00, but you don't
get home from work until 5:00. He's or she's at home alone
for those two hours every weekday. What does he or she do
until you arrive?
Most
likely, he gets a snack or talks on the phone. Maybe he/she
watches television, but since you're not there, you worry.
Just like the majority of American parents who work and have
to leave their children on their own after school everyday,
you are anxious about your child's safety.
But
by following the safeguards listed below, you can help ease
some of this worry and take measures that will protect your
kids even when you're not around.
Are
They Ready?
Can
your children.
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Be
trusted to go straight home after school?
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Easily
use the telephone, locks, and kitchen appliances?
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Follow
rules and instructions well?
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Handle
unexpected situations without panicking?
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Stay
alone without being afraid?
What
You Can Do
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Make
sure your children are old enough and mature enough to
care for themselves.
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Teach
them basic safety rules.
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Know
the three "W's": Where your kids are, What
they're doing, and Who they're with. (Don't forget to
check on state law about the age at which children can
be left at home alone.)
Curiosity...
Are
there things you don't want your children to get into? Take
the time to talk to them about the deadly consequences of
guns, medicines, power tools, drugs, alcohol, cleaning
products, and inhalants. Make sure you keep these items in a
secure place out of sight and locked up, if possible.
Teach
Your "Home Alone" Children
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To
check in with you or a neighbor immediately after
arriving home.
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How
to call the Police Station (242-2727) or 9-1-1, or your area's emergency number, or call
the operator. How to give directions to your home, in
case of emergency. We have stickers available that you
can place directly on all your phones for your kids to
utilize.
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To
never accept gifts or rides from people they don't know
well.
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How
to use the door and window locks, and the alarm system
if you have one.
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To
never let anyone into your home without asking your
permission.
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To
never let a caller at the door or on the phone know that
they're alone. Teach them to say "Mom can't come to
the phone (or door) right now."
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To
carry a house key with them in a safe place (inside a
shirt pocket or sock). Don't leave it under a mat or on
a ledge outside the house.
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How
to escape in case of fire.
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Not
to go into an empty house or apartment if things don't
look right - a broken window, ripped screen, or opened
door.
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To
let you know about anything that frightens them or makes
them feel uncomfortable.
Take
a Stand
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Work
with schools, religious institutions, libraries,
recreational and community centers, and local youth
organizations to create programs that give children ages
10 and older a place to go and something to do after
school - a "homework haven," with sports,
crafts, classes and tutoring. Don't forget that kids of
this age can also get involved in their communities.
Help them design and carry out an improvement projects!
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Ask
your workplace to sponsor a Survival Skills class for
employees' children. You can kick it off with a parent
breakfast or lunch.
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Ask
your community to develop a homework hot-line latchkey
kids can call for help or just to talk.
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