Youth at Home
Wednesday, August 13, 2008 - admin
Latchkey Kids Safety (Tips for Kids that are Home Alone)
Place On or Near the Telephone - Home phone number, address, and specific directions to your house in case your child (or a baby-sitter) needs to call 911, your work number(s), a trusted neighbor's or nearby family member's phone number and address
Answering the Phone in Your Absence - "Hello" is better than "Smith residence, Susie speaking," which gives more information than is safe. The child should say something like, "My parents are busy right now. Can I take a message?" The safest message for an answering machine is, "We can't come to the phone right now; please leave a message."
Responding to Someone at the Door - A good rule for most kids home alone is not to answer the door at all. It's best to have a peephole and a chain and deadbolt lock. No one should be let in unless they have been approved by a parent—relatives or friends that you feel comfortable with, or emergency personnel with identification.
A Simple First Aid Kit - Include Band-Aids, gauze, bandages, scissors, adhesive tape, antibiotic cream and tweezers. You should also have antibacterial soap, in case your child gets a cut or scrape.
Working Important Household Items - Circuit breaker, water shutoff valves, a working flashlight, which should be readily available (and the child should be encouraged to get it out at the first signs of bad weather).
Knowing What to Do - Show them what to do and where to go in case of a tornado or severe storm, emergency fire procedures, where to go if they have to leave the house for an emergency, make sure your child knows a safe route to walk to and from school, tell your child to keep the house key in a safe place and out of sight.
Latchkey Essentials - Speak to your child by phone every day after school. Make sure you have working smoke detectors that are regularly checked. Assign chores if necessary, and remember to express your appreciation. Leave on a radio or lights so your child doesn't come home to a dark, empty house. Remember the after-school healthy snacks!
Safety is no accident!
Filed Under: Uncategorized