6 Ways to Protect Your Latchkey Kids

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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