LATCHKEY CHILDREN

CHILDREN AT HOME ALONE

"Latchkey children." It's a term that's often used to describe children who must stay at home alone taking care of themselves for some part of the day. Usually, they're the children of working parents. Eperts estimate that from 5-12 million children between the ages of 5 and 13 are at home alone for some period of time every day. In many cases, their parents either cannot afford child care, or none is available. Children who are home alone are about three times more likely that those supervised by adults to be involved in accidents, engage in delinquent behavior, or be victimized.

Some children enjoy caring for themselves and happily accept the added responsibilities. Others occasionally are lonely, bored, and scared. For all of them, however, the self-care experience is an opportunity for parents to discuss all aspects of safety and crime prevention, as well as build their children's self-esteem, confidence and competence.

If your children are to be incharge of themselves at home, discuss the routines they are to follow---household chores, pets to tend, homework, visitors, and what to do when the telephone or doorbell rings. Also, if your not going to be home on time , let your children know so they wont worry and get scared. Here are a few items that will help improve the situation.

Teach your children:

To memorize their name and address, including city and state.
To memorize their phone number, including area code.
To use both push button and dial telephones to make an emergency, local and long distance call and how to reach the operator.
To check in with you or a neighbor immediately after arrivng home.
To never go into your home if a door is ajar or a window is broken.
How to work the window and door locks on your home.
How to answer the telephone and door.
Not to go into anyone else's home without your permission.
To avoid walking or playing alone.
That a stranger is someone neither you nor your children know well.
That if they feel they're being followed, either on foot, or by a car, to run to the nearest public place, neighbor, or safe-house.
To tell you if anyone asks them to keep a secret, offers them gifts or money, or asks to take their picture.
To always tell you if something happened while they were away from you that made them feel uncomfortabe in any way.

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