Being Safe Home Alone   

Today, it's common for both parents to work or for kids to live with just one parent, so a generation of kids is spending some time alone after school.

No one knows how many kids are home after school without an adult, but they know the number is in the millions.

If your child has to be home alone, here are some ways to make the experience easier and safer.

Children need structure in their lives which is why it is important that parents set up rules for being home alone.

Some families put up a list of rules where everyone can see them, like on the refrigerator door. Other families write out a contract and have each member sign it, saying they agree to the rules. Or a family might just go over the rules out loud. But whatever method you use, there are a lot of questions to talk about, like:

Should you call mom or dad as soon as you get home?

Are you allowed to watch TV, DVDs, videos, or play computer games? If so, which ones and for how long?

Should homework be done first, even before chores?

Can friends come over? If so, how many?

What can you eat if you want a snack?

Can you go outside, and if so, where?

Which appliances can be used?

Which chores need to be done and by when?

Should a parent call home just before leaving work each day? For example, would it help your child to have a heads-up in time to finish any last-minute chores before they arrive?

With the rules, you can create a schedule of things your child can or should do while home alone.

Here is an example of such a schedule.

3:30-3:40 - Call Mom or Dad.

3:40-4:00 - Change clothes and have a snack.

4:00-4:45 - Do homework.

4:45-5:30 - FREE TIME!

5:30 - Set the table for dinner.

5:45 - Mom or Dad is home.

One of the goals of the rules and structure is to insure your child's safety while he or she is home alone but your child's safety can not be insured by just rules.

Does your child know what to do in an emergency?

For example, go over safety rules for the kitchen if your child will be doing any cooking while home alone. It's also a good idea to practice what a child should do in a real emergency, just in case anything ever happens. For example, does your child know how to use the fire extinguisher?

Of course, safety is not only knowing what to do in case of an emergency but also how to avoid trouble.

Kids who are home alone might worry that someone could break into the house and hurt them. The good news is that this is very unlikely. But keeping the doors and windows locked will help your child to stay safe. Decide what to do if the phone rings or if someone knocks at the door. It's never a good idea for your child to tell someone that he or she is home alone. And if a child gets home and the door is open, or a window is smashed, he should not even peek inside but go to a neighbor you trust for help.

And does your child have enough information to handle the really big emergencies?

Here are some things your child should know to handle a serious emergency.

Your child should know how to dial 911, your address and phone number, the name, location, and phone number where your mom or dad works, the name, phone number, and address of a trusted neighbor and the name, phone number, and address of another emergency contact person, such as a grandparent or family friend.

Of course, the loneliness of being without family for even a short time period can be an overwhelming emergency despite any structure impressed on your child's home alone time.

You can handle the loneliness emergency by being prepared.

Keeping busy with homework, chores, and play can make your child's "home alone" time go quickly but your child might find himself wondering what to do next. The trick is to think about his choices ahead of time. He might even want to keep a list of stuff he likes to do.

Here are some ideas to get you started.

Read a book or magazine.

Work on a hobby or try a new one.

Listen to music, sing, or play an instrument.

Write a letter or an email or phone a friend.

Write a story full of made-up adventures of what happened to you when you were home alone - and don't forget to give it a happy ending!

Your child's real home alone time can have a happy ending as well if you prepare yourself and your child for it before your child has to be "home alone".

~ SafetyIssues Staff Writer