Many working parents have to make the difficult choice to leave children at home also because child care can be cost prohibitive. Here are some tips to make sure children can safely stay home alone.
- Parents need to be absolutely sure a child can care for him/her self.
- They should be taught basic safety rules.
- Know where children are and with whom they are associated.
- Be sure a child can be trusted to go straight home and stay home after school.
- Make sure a child can safely use telephones, locks, appliances and computers.
- They need to be able to understand and follow instructions well.
- They need to be able to handle minor emergencies etc. without panicking and be alone without being fearful.
- Children should know how to call 911 in the case of an emergency. They should also know their home phone numbers and addresses in case of emergency vehicles need to get to them.
- They should never get a ride or gifts from people they don�t know.
- They should know how to use door and window locks and the security system if your home has one.
- They should never answer the door for anyone if the parents are not home.
- Children should never tell people at the door or on the telephone that their parents are not home. They should just tell phone callers that the parents can�t come to the phone. They should ask for the name and number of the caller and just tell the mom or dad will call back when they can.
- Have them carry house keys hidden in a sock, pants pocket, back bag or a chain tucked under a shirt. The key should never be visible on a child�s person. Keys should also never be hidden outside under a mat, rock etc.
- They should know how to escape if a fire is in the house.
- They should not enter a house if a window or door is open. They should never enter if a screen is torn or window is broken. They should run to a trusted neighbor�s house and call 911 to have a police officer check out the house before entering.
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