Routines
What is a routine?
A regular procedure that is repeated every day.
Where do you keep your house key?
Safely tucked away in your pocket, school bag or on a lanyard around your neck.
What is a stranger?
Can be anyone you have never met before (or briefly seen/met, but do not know well).
What are things that may scare you while home alone?
the house creaking. noises from outside. the furnace in the basement. the wind. storms. your animals. power outages.
Your "home alone routine" is decided by...
You AND your parents.
True or false : You should always pur your address on your house keys so people know where to return it.
False.
What does a stranger look like?
Strangers have no specific look or behaviours.
The phone rings while you are home alone. Do you answer?
Discuss with your parent what the rule should be.
1) never answer, unless expecting a call from your parents or you receive a special signal from them
2) only answer names/numbers you recognize
3) let the answering machine take it
True or false : If I get scared while home alone, I should call 911.
False. You only call 911 if there is an emergency!
Why is it important to have a routine?
Will help manage time.
Will make you feel confident and responsible.
Will help you deal with situations that might arise while at home alone.
Never.
Someone you don't know is knocking at your door. What do you do?
Do not answer the door. Keep door locked.
If they continue knocking and you become scared, call your parents, a trusted neighbour (or key person), or 911.
What are prank calls?
A mischievous phone call made to trick someone.
Calls where someone is intentionally trying to annoy or scare you.
What is something you can do to become familiar with the noises in your house that could scare you?
Do a silent walk-around your house with your parents during the day and in the dark to identify loose floorboards, branches that tap on the house, etc.
What is the first thing you should do when you get home?
Contact your parents to let them know you arrived home safe.
True or false : My friend and I are biking to the house, they are faster than I am. I should give them my house key for if they arrive before me?
False. Never give your house key to ANYONE.
It's raining and a stranger (someone you recognize, but you do not know), offers to drive you home. What do you do?
Refuse.
What to do if someone prank calls you?
Hang up immediately. You do not have to continue listening!
Let the machine pick it up.
If you get scared, call your parents or a trusted neighbour/relative.
What do you do if you become scared while home alone?
This answer may be different for everyone.
- call your parents
- stay busy
- turn on the TV
- play with your pet
- play games
- go to a neighbour's house
- find a cozy spot where you are comfortable
- have a brief chat with a friend
- catch up on chores
- try coping mechanisms
- do some things you love!
True or false : I can invite whoever I want over when I am home alone.
False. Discuss the rules of having friends over in advance with your parents. Have their permission before having a friend over.
What do you do if you lose your house key?
Do not panic, it can happen to anyone. Retrace your steps and try to remember where you had it last. If you still cannot find it, follow the plan laid out by your parents for this scenario (ex. hidden key, trusted neighbour).
The mail man (who you recognize) drops off some mail and knocks on the door. What do you do?
Ignore him.
If your parents said you could pick up the mail, wait until he is gone.
The phone was ringing and you forgot to check the number before picking up the phone while home alone. What do you do?
NEVER tell them you are home alone.
Tell them your parents are busy and ask if you can take their name and number down for your parents to call back later.
If they insist on speaking to your parents ASAP, hang up AND call your parents to let them know.
What do you do if you are not comfortable staying home alone yet/again?
Talk to your parents!
Tell them about your worries or fears. They may be able to comfort you or help you find ways to overcome your fears with time.