Safety Rules For Kids At Home Alone

July 01, 1989|By Abigail Van Buren.

Dear Readers: More than 2.1 million boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 13 have no adult supervision after school, and many are alone at other times of the day and night.

Busy parents can help ensure their children`s safety and put themselves more at ease by showing them how to be more self-reliant. The following tips are excerpted from the ``I Can Do It`` course for 2d- and 3d-graders from Camp Fire Inc.

FIRE SAFETY: If a fire breaks out, yell ``FIRE`` to alert others. Escape from a burning building as quickly as possible.

Don`t call the Fire Department until AFTER you escape from the house. Don`t change clothes or try to rescue favorite objects. The firemen can always find them later. Remember: The most important thing is to get out of the house safely.

Figure TWO ways to escape from each room in your home. Use the second method if the first route is blocked by fire, intense heat or smoke.

If you live in an apartment building, be sure you know where all the fire exits are. Never use an elevator to escape because it could stop running and trap you.

Agree on a specific place outside the house where family members can gather after an escape.

TELEPHONE CALLS: Never tell anyone that you are alone. If you do not know the caller, say, ``My parents can`t come to the phone right now-who`s calling, please?``

If a call is scary or threatening, hang up immediately.

Keep the number for the police in plain sight near the phone. If necessary, dial ``O`` for the operator.

Give the exact location to emergency personnel: Know your address, telephone number, the nearest cross streets and some landmarks so you can give directions.

Always stay on the line in case dispatchers have questions.

OTHER: In the kitchen, always turn pot handles toward the inside of the stove to prevent accidents.

Never use knives that are too sharp, and always cut away from your body, in case the knife slips.

Always use pot holders if you are cooking something on the stove, and never leave the oven door open.

Always keep a flashlight in one special place in case a storm knocks the lights out-and check the batteries regularly.

Never open the door to a stranger. Stay quiet and call a neighbor or the police if the person does not go away.

Always stay calm in a medical emergency. Call a neighbor or the police if you cannot take care of it yourself.

When you are home alone at night, always keep the lights on inside and outside the house.

To keep from being frightened when you are home alone, watch a favorite comedy or light entertainment on television instead of a scary movie. Keep the TV volume on low, so you can hear if someone tries to break in.

Two common problems are nosebleeds and bumps. If you get a nosebleed, sit down and tip your head forward slightly (not back), pinch the nose and apply ice until the bleeding stops. Do not blow your nose. If you get a bump in a fall, lie or sit down and use cold water or ice to reduce the swelling.

Those who want to learn more about the course may call their local Camp Fire Council or write the national council: 4601 Madison Ave., Kansas City, Mo. 64112. Camp Fire is a national youth organization that serves 400,000 boys and girls through its programs.

