T
he new school year has begun and as each student begins regulating their schedules, it is time to think about their after school home safety procedures. Parents should be familiar with the following after school home safety tips in order to ensure their child's safety when they arrive home from school.
Most households today have two working parents which makes it inconvenient to be there when their kids arrive home from school. I'm sure you have heard the term "latchkey kids", the term used to describe children who arrive home to an empty house due to both parents being employed outside of the home.
Before leaving your child home alone you must first decide if your child is mature and comfortable enough to be home alone. Second, it is a good idea to tell them to let an adult know when they have arrived home safely. Lastly, make sure your child knows the rules when it comes to cooking, whether other children are allowed in the house and if they can leave the house when you are not home.
9 After School Home Safety Tips
The following tips are useful to ensure peace of mind for both you and your children when you have to leave them home alone:
- Discuss an emergency plan so your children know what to do in case of fire, injury, or other emergency events.
- Introduce children to neighbors that can help in case of an emergency.
- Post an emergency phone list of people to contact including 9-1-1 with work numbers as well as cell phone numbers.
- Make sure children know where to find the first aid kit and always keep it updated with supplies.
- Do not schedule any appointments for someone to come by when you are not home to personally greet them.
- This is a good time to get all dangerous/hazardous items secured in a safe place including any objects that can cause harm.
- If your home has an ADT monitored home security system, teach your children how to turn it on and leave it on while home alone.
- Teach your children that if someone comes to the door to never open it, however, let the person know that it is not a good time and they are welcome to leave anything such as brochures or deliveries at the door.
- Never let children tell someone over the phone or communicate over the Internet that their parents are not home. It also not a good idea to let others know their location when in chat rooms or making social media posts.
When talking with your children about being home alone, parents should go over the above suggestions and post them to remind your children what they can and can't do until you arrive home. Many teens watch their younger brothers and sisters so it is a good idea to have them take a Babysitter Training Course to gain knowledge in first aid/CPR training and other safety skills. Courses that teach skills to responsibly provide care for others is offered through your local Red Cross.
You can also review the Back-to-School Safety Checklist provided by The National Safety Council and the ACLS Pediatric Health Safety Guide for more great information. Help your children be fully prepared for the school year.
Other Related Home Safety Tips
Editors note: Originally publishes September 24th, 2012, additional sources added.
