Are They Ready?

Can your children ...

• 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?

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. Make sure you keep these items in a secure place out of sight and locked up, if possible.

Teach Your Home Alone Children these Tips

• To check in with you or a neighbor immediately after arriving home.
• How to call 9-1-1.
• How to escape in case of fire.
• How to give directions to your home in case of emergency.
• How to use the door and window locks and the alarm system if you have one.
• Never to accept gifts or rides from people they don't know well.
• Never to 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".
• Never to let anyone into your home without asking your permission.
• Not to go into an empty house or apartment if things don't look right - a broken window, ripped screen, or opened door.
• 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.
• To let you know about anything that frightens them or makes them feel uncomfortable.