Coming Home Alone

If you have children, live in the city, and wonder if you've covered all the bases in terms of educating and warning them —especially for moments when they may be home alone, or walking home alone — here are some tips cited by the New York City Police Department.

1. 911: They should know how to use the telephone to call 9-1-1 or "0" if an emergency occurs, and how a public phone works. Practice periodically on a disconnected telephone.

1. Look Before You Enter : Tell kids who will be coming home alone to look and see that no one strange is near the entrance of your home before they enter.
2. Don't Go In If Something Looks Wrong: Tell them that if the house door is open or windows are broken when arriving home, they should not enter. Instead they should go to a neighbor or friend's house (they should know who) and telephone police.
3. Seek Help: Tell your child, without scaring them, that if they are being followed or are in danger, they should quicky go to a place where there are people, i.e. a grocery store or trusted neighbor. Identify a few such places.
4. Don't Say Too Much to Callers : When answering the telephone, have your child tell any caller that his or her parents are busy and cannot come to the telephone at this time. They shouldn't say that their parents are not at home, or get into a long chat.
5. Don't Change the Plan and Go Somewhere Else: Any child going home alone should get an OK from their parent (or guardian) before changing plans and going into anyone's home, even if it sounds like fun and a playdate.

1. Don't Open the Door to Strangers: It's basic, but kids should not open the door for anyone unless instructed by their parents, and, unless it's a grandparent or trusted friend, don't let on that there is no adult at home.
2. Beware of Adults Who Want You to Keep a Secret : Children should be told not to go along if any adult asks them to keep a secret, offers gifts or money, or asks you to take their picture. Kids shouldn't allow anyone to take a photograph of them, either. If they do anyway, your child should know tell you, the parents, immediately. It might be innocent, in this day and age of mobile phones, but it may not be.
3. Talk to Your Parent or Guardian : Create an environment of openness in your home so that children know that if something happened while they were alone or on their own that made them feel creepy or feel uncomfortable in any way, they can tell you.
4. Don't Wear Your Name on Your Sleeve: Kids shouldn't wear clothing that displays their name. It's cute, but it also offers a conversational opening for a predator; "Hi, Johnny!"
5. Don't Show Your Keys in Public: Kids carrying house keys should carry them in a hidden place, and not dangle them when they're near home. (It may send a signal that you're home alone if keys are visibly displayed, according to the NYPD.)
6. Know Who You Are, Where You Are, and What Your Phone Number Is : Last but not least, while it seems obvious, it's important: any child at home alone should know his or her full name, the name of their parents or guardian, their address, and telephone number with the area code. Most kids do, but sometimes, when one moves apartments or children are very young, they may forget or get confused.

Every few years, a terrible story emerges in the news of a child who was abducted or abused. Sometimes, a little advance prep might have helped avoid catastrophe.