- Never accept rides from anyone unless a parent is notified.
- Don’t take unfamiliar short-cuts to or from school.
- Never enter your home if something looks wrong - door open, window broken.
- Call a parent as soon as you are home.
- Have a backup person to call in case of emergency.
- Have a schedule of after-school activities
- Have clear instructions for answering the phone or the door.
- Have emergency phone numbers posted.
- Do not invite friends to your house.
- Do not visit friends without a parent's permission.
- Do not use any appliance without a parent's permission.

What do I do?

When a stranger phones?
- Never tell them you are home alone
- Say “My Mom is having a bath” or “My Dad is asleep and will call you back. Can I take your name and number?”

When the doorbell rings?
- Never go to the door
- Ignore the ringing, even if it persists
- Pretend that no one is home, they’ll come back later

When my friends invite me over?
- Say “I can’t leave home until my parents arrive.”
- Say “I’m not allowed to have friends over without a parent home.”

Your key to the house is your key to responsibility. Take good care of it
- Keep your key inside your pocket, your wallet, your shoe or your packsack
- Never put your home address on your key chain in case it is lost.
- Don't lend your key to anyone.
- Make sure you remove the key from the door.
- Discuss with your parent(s) what to do if your key is lost, and follow their instructions.
- If you lose your key, don't panic. It can happen to anyone. Try to remember when you last had it and retrace your steps.
- Don't tell anyone you've lost your key, except your backup emergency person and your parent.