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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Pastor's sermon: "Violence will not have the last word" ... Oregon shooter showed little sympathy in calculated killings ... Our View: Gun lobby's influence exceeds its support ... Pastor's sermon: "Violence will not have the last word" ... Oregon shooter showed little sympathy in calculated killings ... Our View: Gun lobby's influence exceeds its support ... Healthy Habits: How to prepare children to be home alone Comment By Lauren B. Schiffman More Content Now MailTribune.com By Lauren B. Schiffman More Content Now Posted Sep. 3, 2015 at 8:40 AM By Lauren B. Schiffman More Content Now Posted Sep. 3, 2015 at 8:40 AM » Social News When I was a kid, the term used to reference those of us who returned home after school without a parent present was “latchkey kids.” Back then, after-school programs weren’t as plentiful as they are now, and some parents had no choice but to let their kids come home sans supervision. But that was then. Today, there are a lot more factors to consider when deciding whether or not to allow your child to be home without a parent, babysitter, grandparent or someone else to supervise. Be sure that your children know how to get in touch with you if there’s an emergency. A tip: post to the fridge or near a telephone any phone numbers your child may need. These include your phone number, the number of a trusted neighbor, the police department, the fire department, and of course, 911. It’s also important to put your home address on this paper even if your kids already know it. In the event of an emergency, they might forget under pressure. In order to prepare effectively for an emergency exit, run through drills with your children on how to egress the house safely and quickly if necessary. Be sure to establish a common meeting spot – a neighbor’s house, for example – so everyone can be accounted for. Advise your children to not open the door of your house under any circumstances. Be sure that they understand that just because someone says they are a delivery person, for instance, that doesn’t mean it’s true. Advise your kids to tell the person at the door that “Mom or Dad can’t come to the door right now.” They should never tell anyone that they are home without adult supervision. Teach your child basic first aid in case he or a sibling gets hurt while home alone. Your children should understand that medicine, no matter how appealing the color, is NOT candy and should not be taken without adult supervision. If major appliances are off-limits, like the stove or a microwave oven, be sure to tell your kids and make sure they understand the importance of kitchen safety. If you have any firearms in your home, they should be locked away and not loaded. Children should NEVER be given access to any storage unit that holds firearms. Consider what the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Child Care Resource Service (CCRS) says about whether your child is ready to be home alone: Does your child want to stay home alone? Does your child exhibit the right signs of “responsibility and being aware of the needs of others”? CCRS also asks parents to consider whether a child has the wherewithal to make good choices and can communicate openly about interests and concerns. Parent-child communication is needed to ensure that any fears or problems that arise because of staying alone can be quickly discussed and dealt with. If you believe your child is ready, test his or her readiness during the weeks leading up to the start of school. Leave her home for short periods of time with a gradual increase to a few hours — the length of an afternoon. Finally, before you consider leaving your child alone at your home, even for a very short amount of time, be sure that you have reviewed all of the safety measures and emergency protocols. Let a trusted neighbor or friend know that your child is home without supervision and perhaps, most importantly, be sure your child is ready to take on the new responsibility. Lauren B. Schiffman is director of communications for Century Health Systems, a parent company of Natick (Massachusetts) Visiting Nurse Association and Distinguished Care Options. For more information, visit centuryhealth.org or call 508-651-1786. By Lauren B. Schiffman More Content Now MailTribune.com By Lauren B. Schiffman More Content Now Posted Sep. 3, 2015 at 8:40 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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