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HOME ALONE
SAFETY AND OTHER
GREAT TIPS FOR PARENTS
A GUIDE FOR WORKING PARENTS
WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?
ARE YOUR CHILDREN READY? CAN THEY....
A WORD ABOUT CURIOSITY
TEACH YOUR "HOME ALONE" CHILDREN
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A GUIDE FOR WORKING PARENTS
- Many parents have school
children who get out of school around 3:00 p.m., but they don't get
off work until 5:00 p.m. or later. Children are left at home alone
for these 2 or more hours, and it is natural to wonder what they are
doing. Most likely, they watch television, eat a snack or talk on
the phone. It is natural for parents to be anxious about their children's
safety. By following the safeguards listed below, you can help ease
some of the worry and take measures that will protect your kids even
when you are not around.
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WHAT CAN PARENTS DO?
Nearly 7 million
school-age children per year are regularly left home alone, according
to a recent report by the Census Bureau. These days, children often
take on more responsibility at an earlier age and as a result, feel
that they are old enough to stay home alone.
“Parents need to consider many factors when leaving a child home alone,”
said Heather Paul, Ph.D., executive director of the National SAFE KIDS
Campaign. “Children mature at different rates, so it is crucial to evaluate
your child’s individual development as well as physical capabilities.”
It is important to remember that the decision to leave children unattended
may be subject to state law. Area child protection services can provide
information on state child abuse and neglect laws that address the age
children can legally be left home alone. Minimum age requirements for
unattended children generally range from 12 to 13 years of age. The
National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommends that children are not left alone
before the age of 12. Parents and caregivers should begin leaving children
home alone progressively – for only a short time, at first, and stay
relatively close to home.
These additional tips should help you decide whether you can or should
leave your child home alone.
- Make sure that your children are old enough and
mature enough to care for themselves.
In Oklahoma, there is no
fixed age when a child can be left alone. Some are unable to take
care of themselves even though they may be older than other children.
A good rule of thumb includes the following considerations:
- Are they alone
or are they taking care of smaller children?
- If they are taking
care of other children, what are their ages and maturity levels?
- How many of them are
there? In other words, a 12 year old may be able to care for themselves
if they are sufficiently mature. However, if they are asked to
baby-sit for a couple of younger children, they may not be able
to handle the situation adequately, especially if the younger
children are much younger.
- Teach them
the basic rules. These rules include:
- If and how they will
answer the telephone and answer questions from somebody they don't
know.
- When and if they will
open the door if someone should knock.
- Things they are forbidden
to do without supervision.
- Things that they must
not use (stoves, heaters, etc.) without supervision.
- Other things that
you recognize could pose a danger to them, especially when they
are not being supervised.
- Know the three "W's":
- Where are your kids?
- What are they doing?
- Who are they with?
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ARE YOUR CHILDREN READY TO BE LEFT ALONE? CAN THEY . . .
- Be trusted to go straight
home after school?
- Easily use the telephone,
locks, and kitchen appliances?
- Follow rules and instructions
well?
- Handle unexpected situations
without panicking?
- Stay alone without being
afraid?
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A WORD ABOUT 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. If possible, make sure you keep
these items in a secure place out of sight and locked up. Remember,
even when your children have been properly taught, neighbor children
can often influence your children to do something they know is not
right. Many children have been killed by a weapon being handled by
a neighbor child.
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TEACH YOUR "HOME ALONE" CHILDREN
- To check in with you or
a neighbor immediately after arriving home.
- How and when to call 9-1-1
for emergencies.
- How to give directions
to your home, in case of emergencies.
- To never accept gifts
or rides from people they don't know well.
- How to use the door and
window locks, and the alarm system if you have one.
- To never let anyone into
your home without asking your permission.
- To never let a caller
at the door on the phone know that they are alone. Teach them to say,
"My mother or father can't come to the phone (or door) right now."
- 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 a ledge outside the house.
- How to escape in case
of a fire.
- To not go into an empty
house or apartment if things don't look right --- a broken window,
ripped screen or open door.
- To let you know about
anything that frightens them or makes them feel uncomfortable.
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TAKE A STAND
- Work with schools, religious
institutions, libraries, recreational and community centers, and local
youth organizations to create programs that give younger children
a place to go and something to do after school -- a homework "haven",
with sports, crafts, classes, and tutoring.
- Join your Neighborhood
Watch group and form a program that offers help to children in cases
of emergencies or frightening situations.
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