HOME ALONE - SAFETY TIPS FOR KID

Before we look at home alone safety tips, it is important to consider whether it is right to leave your children alone at home in a given situation. Here is what you need to assess before leaving your child home alone.

 

Crimes can happen at any time of the day. However, in the unfortunate case that your child’s safety is compromised, getting help in the daytime is easier than at night. Children also can feel scared if they are left alone at night. 
 

Is your child old enough to be left alone? Can your child talk, make a phone call, lock doors, shout for help? Will your child be able to help himself if he gets hurt? These basic things need to be assessed before leaving the child alone in the house.

 

- From 8 to 10 years old: Children should not be left alone for more than 1.5 hours.

- From 11 to under 13 years old: Children can stay home for about 3-4 hours during the day.

- From 13 to under 16 years old: Peace of mind for children to stay home alone but parents should not be away overnight.

 

This is especially important when leaving children alone for more than a couple of hours. If you are not able to get to your child on time, would any other person be available, if such a situation arises?

Here are some important home safety tips for kids that every parent must follow.
 

If your child is arriving from school in your absence, ask him to call you as soon as he gets home. Other than that, phone usage should be kept to a minimum. Install caller ID and tell your child to take calls only from known numbers. Other calls should be allowed to go to the answering machine.
 

Stick a list of phone numbers on the refrigerator or by the phone or wherever it is easily accessible. The list should have all emergency contact numbers including your and your spouse’s office contacts, numbers of relatives, neighbours or any other person who you think your child may need.
 

Tell him what to do if he gets hurt or needs help. You could try practising what he needs to do in case of an emergency. He could reach out to a neighbour or make a call. Keep the neighbour informed too. He or she can be your go-to number in case you cannot reach your child on call.
 

Absolutely advise children not to contact the fire to prevent fire hazards. You should lock the stove, gas valve, unplug the electric kettle before going out. On the other hand, before going out, prepare light snacks and make it easy for him.
 

Make out a timetable along with him. Give him a routine to follow when you are not there. 
 

Pesticides, toilet cleaner, insecticides, mosquito repellents, paints, etc. all pose poisoning hazard (in the event that they inhale or ingest it). Keep these and other similar substances locked away and out of your children’s reach.
 

Sharp objects, especially weapons, knives, scissors, repairing tools can be hazardous to children. Out of curiosity, they may want to play with such objects, although they are not playthings! Keep such objects out of your child’s reach.
 

While that may sound extreme, one of the best ways to keep your child from opening the door to strangers is to simply lock the child inside the house! When you do that, however, make sure all their basic necessities are taken care of – ensure there is enough food, snacks, water, medicines, etc. in the house so that your child won’t be locked away from his needs!
 

If you cannot or do not wish to lock your child in, develop a password system with your child. A password system is a method of identifying ‘friends’ from ‘foes’ or strangers. You basically memorise a word that acts as a password for your child. Only an adult who knows the password should be considered a friend. Other ways to make the password system work is: you and your child could memorise a sentence. The first half will be recited by your child, and the adult wishing to enter the house should be able to recite the second half of the system.You can also develop a question-answer kind of password system.
 

You could include like

- Do not leave the house.

-Do not allow anyone in, not even friends.

-Always look through the peephole before opening the door.

-Never open the door to strangers, delivery boys, cable man or repairmen of any kind.

-Do not use a lighter or matchsticks.

- No telling anyone that you are alone at home.
 

Nothing incentivises good behaviour better than a reward! On your way out of the house, after you have given your child all the instructions you need to, you can tell them that you will get them a gift if they obey all the rules and do not get into trouble!