admin
09-28-2006, 08:46 AM
6 Ways to Protect Your Latchkey Kids
by Steve Cross
As a parent, you don't choose to have your kids at home
alone, but sometimes the pressures of two parents working,
school schedules, and baby sitting problems require you to
do so. There are some very easy things you can do to reduce
the risk for your kids. Every parent can implement these tips
to keep their family safer.
1) Set some rules. Sit down and tell the kids what the rules are.
Write them down. Then post the rules in plain view. Your kids
will be more aware, and that's a good thing. If you don't want
them near the gas stove, write it down. If they need to leave
the sharp kitchen knives alone, write it down on the rules.
2) Talk to them. Sounds simple doesn't it? Talk them through
the rules. And talk to them about personal security. Remind
them to lock the doors. Make sure they know not to let anyone
in when you're not there, except people you have already told
them can come in.
3) Show them how to use 911. Make sure they understand
when to use it. And make sure they know it's not a joke.
4) Gun safety. If you have firearms in the house, place them
in a gun safe. Not under a mattress, or in a cupboard. You
have a legal, ethical, and moral responsibility to secure your
firearms. The same applies to fireworks.
5) Give them emergency contact numbers. Friends or neighbors
who you trust to have good judgment if you aren't available, for
when you can't get home fast enough.
6) Make sure the kids understand Internet security. You aren't
there and you need to know what they're doing on their
computers. Look into Internet Monitoring Software, low-cost
products that invisibly monitor the activities of your kids, and
privately emails you the results as often as you like. The best
of these software products track internet sites visited,
downloads, chat room conversations, and IM.
--Steve Cross
by Steve Cross
As a parent, you don't choose to have your kids at home
alone, but sometimes the pressures of two parents working,
school schedules, and baby sitting problems require you to
do so. There are some very easy things you can do to reduce
the risk for your kids. Every parent can implement these tips
to keep their family safer.
1) Set some rules. Sit down and tell the kids what the rules are.
Write them down. Then post the rules in plain view. Your kids
will be more aware, and that's a good thing. If you don't want
them near the gas stove, write it down. If they need to leave
the sharp kitchen knives alone, write it down on the rules.
2) Talk to them. Sounds simple doesn't it? Talk them through
the rules. And talk to them about personal security. Remind
them to lock the doors. Make sure they know not to let anyone
in when you're not there, except people you have already told
them can come in.
3) Show them how to use 911. Make sure they understand
when to use it. And make sure they know it's not a joke.
4) Gun safety. If you have firearms in the house, place them
in a gun safe. Not under a mattress, or in a cupboard. You
have a legal, ethical, and moral responsibility to secure your
firearms. The same applies to fireworks.
5) Give them emergency contact numbers. Friends or neighbors
who you trust to have good judgment if you aren't available, for
when you can't get home fast enough.
6) Make sure the kids understand Internet security. You aren't
there and you need to know what they're doing on their
computers. Look into Internet Monitoring Software, low-cost
products that invisibly monitor the activities of your kids, and
privately emails you the results as often as you like. The best
of these software products track internet sites visited,
downloads, chat room conversations, and IM.
--Steve Cross