More and more parents are busy, so they are forced to leave their children at home alone for a period of time. But in reality, just a small incident such as a power outage, a stranger knocking on the door, or an accident in the kitchen... is enough to make children panic if not well prepared.
Experts believe that instead of forcing children to stay home alone, parents need to equip their children with survival skills to protect themselves.
Below are 10 important life skills that parents should teach their children as soon as possible.
1. Do not open the door to strangers for any reason
You need to understand that no one is allowed into the house without your parents' permission.
2. Know how to call an emergency number
Teach your child to remember the phone numbers of parents, closest relatives, and necessary emergency numbers.
3. Do not reveal that your child is home alone
If someone calls or texts to ask, you must absolutely not tell the truth.
4. Know how to lock doors and check windows
You must know how to check the main door, windows, balcony before being home alone.
5. Do not arbitrarily use gas stoves or electric stoves without permission
Many accidents occur because children are curious to cook or play with fire.
6. Know how to handle bleeding or falls
Teach your child basic first aid skills and how to call adults immediately.
7. Do not climb dangerously
Children need to understand that standing on a chair, climbing a balcony, climbing windows are extremely dangerous.
8. Know how to handle when there is a fire or burning smell
You must know to get out of the danger zone immediately and call an adult.
9. Know how to turn off electrical devices when not in use
This helps avoid electrical short circuits, fires and accidents.
10. Have clear and unbroken "safety rules
Parents need to set rules such as not opening the door, not going out, not playing with knives and scissors, not playing with electrical outlets.
Parents need to remember that leaving children at home alone is not just about "whether children are well-behaved or not", but about whether children have enough skills to live safely or not.
Teaching children these skills is not to scare them, but to calm them down and teach them how to protect themselves in all situations.
