Current Events in July 2017

Has it been a while since you laced up your running shoes and hit the road or the treadmill? If so, then you might be missing out on an opportunity to help build healthier bones.

A new study from the University of Exeter and the University of Leicester shows that “brief bursts” of high-intensity, weight-bearing exercise – such as jogging or running -- can promote better bone health in pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women. While the researchers are still determining the most optimal way to get this exercise, they say that the benefits may help stave off health conditions like osteoporosis.

"We don't yet know whether it's better to accumulate this small amount of exercise in bits throughout each day or all at once, and also whether a slightly longer bout of exercise on one or two days per week is just as good as 1-2 minutes a day," explains lead author Dr Victoria Stiles. "But there's a clear link between this kind of high-intensity, weight-bearing exercise and better bone health in women.”

Only 1-2 minutes per day

In many previous studies, researchers have hammered home just how important it is for young people to build healthy bones. Part of the reason behind this is that when a person reaches their 30s, their ability to produce new bone slows down and bone mass starts to slowly decline. So, by encouraging healthy habits in young people, experts are trying to ensure that consumers have the best possible bone health when this time comes.

But in this latest study, Stiles and her colleagues reaffirm that there are also things that middle-aged consumers can do to encourage better bone health. And, best of all, the time commitment for doing so isn’t all that intensive.

Using data from the UK Biobank, the researchers found that women who participated in 1-2 minutes of high-intensity, weight-bearing activity per day had 4% better bone health than those who experienced less than one minute of similar activity. Consumers who participated in over two minutes of activity benefitted even more, with a 6% increase in bone health.

While the findings come from a cross-sectional analysis, and therefore can't prove any kind of causation between the exercise and bone health, the researchers say their findings show a clear link between running and bone health. They suggest that women who are looking to increase their bone health but aren’t physically active start with walking and slowly build up to short bursts of jogging.

The full study has been published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.

Most pet owners would relish the opportunity to spend all day with their four-legged companion. But since many workplaces, restaurants, and retailers aren’t exactly pet friendly, it’s often necessary to leave pets at home.

While many cats are perfectly content to be on their own for a relatively lengthy stretch of time, most dogs prefer human company (hence the name “man’s best friend”).

For some pups, being home alone can culminate in something other than a gleeful greeting when you finally walk through the door. In the absence of an owner, anxious pets may begin exhibiting unwanted behaviors.

That's why it's crucial to consider your dog's unique needs before leaving. But how long is actually safe to leave your dog alone? 

All dogs are different

The short answer: it depends on the dog. All dogs are different and have varying levels of independence, explained Tamsin Durston, head coach at Dogs Trust Dog School.

But as a general rule, dogs shouldn’t be left alone for more than three or four hours, she told Metro. However, the timing depends on the dog and its breed.

"Just like humans, some dogs are fine being left alone and some need more company," explained Tamsin. "So it really depends on the individual, and if it's been trained to be alone since being a puppy."

Teaching independence

Dogs that have been trained to be independent from an early age may be able to handle being alone much better than a dog whose puppyhood was spent in constant human company.

But fostering canine independence is a gradual process that needs to be done in stages. To a less independent pooch, suddenly being left alone for hours can feel jarring.

To help train a dog to be by itself, Tamsin suggests using large dog crates.

‘Some people don’t like them but we like to think of them as four poster beds,” she said, adding, “You can also use a baby gate to keep the dog in another part of the house.”

Tamsin also recommends making sure the dog has toys and chews to keep it occupied.

Tips for leaving dogs alone

Other tips for leaving your dog home alone:

• Walk them. Before leaving, go for a stroll or run with your dog to help tire them out and make them more likely to rest while you’re gone.
• Gradually build up the time apart. Start with just a small period of separation and gradually work up to being separated for several hours.
• Hire a dog walker. If you need to leave your dog for more than four hours, have a friend or dog walker come by in the middle of the day to give them a walk and some affection.
• Leave the TV or radio on. To give your pet a feeling of company, tune your TV to a cooking channel or another network that likely won't have sudden loud sounds. A radio tuned to a station with calm, quiet music can also help an anxious pet.

Additionally, keep in mind that leaving two dogs alone isn’t necessarily better than one. "They might not help each other and you could just end up with two anxious dogs, instead of one," warns Tamsin.

Many parents aren’t clear on when their teen is due for their next vaccine, a new report suggests.

Researchers from the University of Michigan surveyed 614 parents with at least one teenager and found that 33 percent of them had no idea when their teens' next vaccine was required.

Roughly half of parents polled assumed their child’s doctor would schedule the vaccines at the appropriate time, just like when their children were little. But in reality, it doesn’t always work like that.

Teen vaccine rates low

“When kids are little, their pediatricians usually schedule visits to coincide with the timing of recommended vaccinations,” said poll co-director Sarah Clark.

Clark pointed out that as children get older, well-child visits occur less frequently, and doctors “may not address vaccines during brief visits for sickness or injury.”

“Many teens may be missing out on important vaccines simply because families aren’t aware it’s time for one,” she said.

Only a third of teens have received the second dose of the meningitis vaccine by age 17, and less than half of teenage boys aged 13 to 17 years have received the complete human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine series, according to data from the CDC.

Less than half of adolescents receive an annual flu vaccine. But despite these low numbers, more than 90 percent of parents surveyed believed their teen had received all vaccines recommended for their age.

Need for doctor proactivity

The researchers said parents may not be up to speed on vaccine recommendations for adolescents because few states have vaccine requirements for high schoolers, unlike elementary-aged children.

This lack of awareness may influence changes to the adolescent vaccination schedule in the coming years, Clark noted.

“Parents rely on child health providers to guide them on vaccines – in early childhood and during the teen years,” she said. “Given the general lack of awareness about adolescent vaccines shown in this poll, there is a clear need for providers to be more proactive for their teen patients.”

The millions of consumers who have healthcare policies obtained through healthcare exchanges, established under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), can breathe a little easier.

At least, for the time being.

These consumers may have watched uneasily as the Republican-led Congress made several attempts to "repeal and replace" the ACA, also known as Obamacare. Critics of both the House-passed bill and the bill considered by the Senate charged it would result in millions of people losing their health insurance.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has announced the Senate will end its attempts to bring its replacement legislation up for a vote. Monday, two additional Republican senators announced they would vote against the bill, dooming its chances of passage.

“Regretfully, it is now apparent that the effort to repeal and immediately replace the failure of Obamacare will not be successful," McConnell said in a statement.

Will vote on House bill

Instead, McConnell said the Senate will vote to take up the repeal and replace legislation that passed in the House. McConnell noted the Senate approved an identical measure in 2015, but that President Obama vetoed it.

McConnell said the House bill would repeal Obamacare and provide for a two-year delay for a transition period, with a goal of moving to what he called "a patient-centered health care system that gives Americans access to quality, affordable care.”

A pure repeal, however, would likely undo all the provisions of the current law, which among other things, bars health insurance companies from asking about pre-existing conditions. It would also remove subsidies many consumers receive to help pay health insurance premiums.

Maintaining the status quo isn't acceptable either, said David O. Barbe, M.D., president of the American Medical Association. 

Uncertain outlook

While anything can happen in the political arena, Senate passage of the House bill looks unlikely at this point. While it would probably please conservative senators who opposed the Senate measure because it didn't go far enough, it would likely earn the opposition of a number of moderate Republican senators.

President Trump Tweeted his disappointment, suggesting Congress just let Obamacare fail, then create another health care law.

McConnell has suggested there might be another alternative. The GOP leader has hinted that it might be necessary to work with Democrats to reform the current law. Since no Democrats supported either the House or Senate repeal and replace bills, a few Democratic votes might hold the keys to passage.

To win Democratic support, however, the legislation would probably be far different than either of the GOP-crafted bills considered in the House and Senate.

Chipotle Mexican Grill, which battled a public relations nightmare in 2015 after it had to close several stores due to an E. coli outbreak, has closed a store in Virginia after patrons got sick.

The company closed its Sterling, Va., store after reports of some customers getting ill, the Virginia Health Department confirmed. The illness reports first surfaced on a website called iwaspoisoned.com, a forum where consumers report food that made them sick.

"Our whole family ate at Chipotle in Sterling on Friday evening 7/14 and became sick Sunday into Monday with vomiting, diarrhea, severe abdominal pains, fevers," one posting on the site says. "This aggravated our diabetic son and our celiac son's previous conditions."

Dr. David Goodfriend, director of the Loudoun County Health Department, said the agency was investigating the outbreak, which he said appeared to be restricted to the Chipotle outlet in Sterling.

"We're not aware of any other complaints of food-borne illness in our area," he told ConsumerAffairs, adding that it was too early to determine the specific cause of the outbreak. 

Norovirus suspected

The company spokesman said the symptoms appear to be consistent with norovirus and that the outbreak appears isolated to the single store and is not related to the food supply. He said the store will be sanitized and reopened.

According to the Mayo Clinic, norovirus symptoms include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, malaise, low-grade fever, and muscle pain. The clinic staff says noroviruses are highly contagious and come from the feces of infected humans and animals.

In the fall of 2015 Chipotle temporarily closed a number of stores in several states after reports of customers getting sick.

Consumers generally understand the importance of credit scores and how they can impact significant areas of your financial life.

But the latest survey from TransUnion, one of the three credit reporting bureaus, has identified several important misconceptions about credit and credit scores.

For example, closing a credit card account does not automatically lower your credit score. It might, but it all depends on the amount of credit you have available to you and the length of the credit history on the account.

If you fear you have become a victim of fraud, it is possible to lock your credit accounts, but you have to lock each one separately. There is no one tool that will lock your TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian accounts at the same time.

Your marital status has no bearing whatsoever on your credit standing. This is apparently a widespread misconception because the TransUnion survey found that 44% of consumers believe it does.

Another misconception is that a low credit score could reduce your ability to travel outside the United States. It doesn't, but nearly a third of consumers believe it to be true.

Checking your own score doesn't hurt

If you apply for credit and the lender checks your credit account, it will result in a slight and temporary lowering of your score. But if you check your own credit, it has no effect. In fact, TransUnion says regular credit monitoring is encouraged for identity theft protection.

Your credit report will factor in prompt bill payment but not all monthly payments are included. Your payment record for your utility bill may be a factor, but it might not. TransUnion says not all utility companies report on-time payments and delinquencies, though most do.

TransUnion says the average VantageScore in the U.S. is around 645, suggesting consumers need more information about credit and how to manage it.

More credit education

“Making credit education accessible for all consumers is one of our top priorities,” said Heather Battison, a TransUnion vice president. “In general Americans should invest more time and energy into managing their credit."

Battison says it is important for consumers with less-than-excellent credit work on raising their credit scores. The best way to do that is with timely repayment of financial obligations. Even small bills, if not paid on time, can drag down a credit score.

In a recent study, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) found that binge drinking is becoming a growing problem in the U.S., with 32 million Americans admitting to having more than four drinks on any one occasion in 2013.

While it’s bad enough that adults are engaging in these unhealthy behaviors, researchers from Oregon State University say that teens are reporting heavy drinking habits as well. In a recent mini review, assistant professor Anita Cservenka says that this is particularly dangerous because of the adverse effects that alcohol can have on brain health.

"Adolescence is a time when the brain still matures including not only biological development but also maturation of psychosocial behaviours,” she said. “Given the increase of binge and heavy drinking in young people, understanding the effects of consuming large quantities of alcohol on neural development and the impact on cognitive skills is very important.”

Alcohol use disorders

The review analyzed cross-sectional and longitudinal studies of young binge and heavy drinkers and how their habits affected their brain structure. In particular, the researchers examined six areas of brain development: response inhibition, working memory, verbal learning and memory, decision making and reward processing, alcohol cue reactivity, and socio-cogntive/socio-emotional processing.

MRI scans taken of patients’ brains showed that binge and heavy-drinking teens and young adults had brains that were physically different from teens who didn’t drink. Specifically, the researchers said that teens who drank had systematically thinner and lower volume in the prefrontal cortex and cerebellar regions of their brain, as well as reduced white matter development. This is crucial, they say, because these brain areas play a key role in memory, attention, language, awareness, and consciousness.

Additionally, the findings showed that young people who excessively drink alcohol can alter the neural structure of their brains over time, which could make them more susceptible to having alcohol dependence issues when they get older.

“[The] brain alterations, as a result of heavy alcohol use during adolescence and young adulthood, could result in increased risk of developing an alcohol use disorder later on in life,” said Cservenka. “It is therefore important to continue raising awareness of the risks of binge drinking and to promote future research in this area.”

The full study has been published in Frontiers of Psychology.

For many years, one of the biggest stigmas working against vehicles that run on diesel fuel is that they’re bad for the environment. But a recent study led by scientists from Switzerland, Norway, Italy, France, the U.S., and colleagues at the Université de Montréal (UdeM) have found that newer diesel vehicles are now much cleaner than their gas-powered cousins, especially at lower temperatures.

UdeM scientist and researcher Patrick Hayes explains that diesel has earned a bad reputation because consumers can see the pollution from tailpipes, but he says that the invisible pollution from gasoline-powered cars is much worse. In his team’s report, he outlines how regulators should move forward.

“The next step should be to focus on gasoline or removing old diesel vehicles from the road,” he says. “Modern diesel vehicles have adopted new standards and are now very clean, so attention needs to now turn to regulating on-road and off-road gasoline engines more. That’s the next target.”

Worse at cold temperatures

Different phases of the study were conducted around the world and included measuring vehicle emissions under different scenarios. In Zurich, Switzerland, researchers set out to test emissions from diesel- and gas-powered vehicles at varying temperatures to see how they differed.

In particular, the researchers were looking at levels of carbonaceous particulate matter (PM) emitted through the tailpipes of cars, which is made up of black carbon and primary and secondary organic aerosols that have been shown to be harmful to lung tissue.

After testing a range of vehicles, the researchers found that gas-powered cars emitted 10 times more carbonaceous PM at around 72 degrees Fahrenheit. However, these numbers became even worse at lower temperatures; gas-powered vehicles were found to emit 62 times more carbonaceous PM at around 45 degrees Fahrenheit than diesel-powered vehicles.

"The increase in emissions at lower temperatures is related to a more pronounced cold-start effect," the researchers said, explaining that gasoline engines become much less efficient and pollute much more when they are not warmed up and the catalytic converter is not yet active.

To add to this research, Hayes is currently testing carbonaceous PM emissions in Canada to see if colder temperatures in that climate exacerbate climate change. He plans to publish his findings next year.

A full report of the study has been published in Scientific Reports.

A well-stocked disaster supply kit and an emergency plan can be lifesavers in the event of a disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado. But if you’re a pet owner, you may need to take a few extra precautions to prepare for an emergency requiring evacuation.

Downed power lines, debris, and flooding can make the area in and around your home dangerous for pets.

If disaster strikes, it’s best to take your furry family members with you, says Angela Clendenin, public information officer for the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences’ Veterinary Emergency Team (VET).

Evacuate early

Clendenin recommends leaving early -- as soon as the first notice is issued.

“When evacuation is delayed, roads can get jammed with traffic or become impassible with early flooding or debris,” Clendenin said. “For those who need assistance with evacuating animals, resources may become scarce or non-existent as the threat from the disaster gets closer.”

“Evacuating early ensures that pets and their owners are able to get to safety before the disaster hits,” she said.

Create a ‘go kit’

Additionally, she recommends making an emergency pet kit ahead of time. With disaster looming on the horizon, it can be difficult to think clearly.

For this reason, creating a ‘go kit’ ahead of time is a smart idea. Clendenin recommends filling your ‘go kit’ with necessary documents and supplies. Make it easy to grab and transport in the event of an evacuation.

“In the case that pet and livestock owners get separated, this kit should include photos of pets and descriptions of where livestock is located, using GIS coordinates, if possible,” she said. “Ensuring your pets and livestock are microchipped or visibly tagged or marked is also a way to identify animals and establish ownership.”

Items to pack

She also recommends packing enough food, water, and medication to last your pet a few days, as well as the following items:

• Collar or harness with ID tag, rabies tag, and a leash.
• Crate or pet carrier.
• Pet litter and litter box.
• A picture of you and your pet together. If you become separated, a picture of you and your pet together will help you document ownership and allow others to help you.
• Comfort items. Familiar items, such as treats, toys and bedding can help reduce stress for your pet.

The U.S. Senate's second attempt at legislation to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act (ACA) may not have any brighter prospects than the first measure.

Two GOP senators have already said they will vote against it, meaning Republican backers have no wiggle room at this point. Meanwhile, groups that have a stake in the outcome continue to line up against it.

AARP Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond says the second bill is nearly the same as the first when it comes imposing what she called an "age tax" on older consumers.

"We urge the Senate to vote 'no' and start from scratch on a new health bill that lowers costs and maintains vital protections and coverage that millions of Americans count on," LeaMond said in a statement.

Medicaid cuts

LeaMond also blasted the bill for what she termed drastic Medicaid cuts. She said those cuts would put 17.4 million poor seniors and people with disabilities, at risk of losing health coverage.

The American Psychological Association (APA) called the second healthcare bill worse than the first. The group said the second draft of the bill creates a two-tiered system with policies that don't provide mental health and substance abuse treatment.

"This bill will not only irreparably damage Medicaid, like the first version, but it will also fracture the private insurance market,” said APA President Antonio E. Puente. “We urge the Senate to reject this measure and instead focus on making improvements to the Affordable Care Act to strengthen the state health insurance exchanges and cover more people.”

Numbers crunchers

Actuaries, the people in the insurance industry who evaluate the likelihood of future events, are also finding fault with the legislation. The American Academy of Actuaries has sent a letter to Congress and the nation's governors, pointing out what they see as flaws.

"With legislation of this scope affecting millions of people and highly complex markets, assuring stable and sustainable markets is no simple feat," said Academy Senior Health Fellow Cori Uccello. "We provided a nonpartisan, actuarial examination of the BCRA component-by-component, and drew lawmakers' attention to critical issues."

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts has also come out against the measure, with CEO Andrew Dreyfus expressing the concern that it would result in the loss of coverage for millions of Americans.

Dreyfus also criticized the proposed legislation for creating what he said would be a "new divide between those who are seriously ill and those who are healthy."

The Senate's vote on the measure has been delayed, due to the illness of Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). Republican moderates who are on the fence has also said they are waiting for a report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), expected this week, which will detail the expected impact of the legislation.

Memo to the automotive and technology industries: you might be in a rush to get self-driving cars on the road but consumers aren't in a hurry to ride in one.

A survey by J.D. Power finds, with the exception of Millennials, all other generations are becoming more skeptical of self-driving cars, not less.

“In most cases, as technology concepts get closer to becoming reality, consumer curiosity and acceptance increase,” said Kristin Kolodge, executive director of driver interaction and HMI research at J.D. Power. “With autonomous vehicles, we see a pattern where trust drives interest in the technology and right now, the level of trust is declining.”

Using last year as a benchmark, the survey found 11% more Generation Z and 9% more "pre-Boomers" say they “definitely would not” trust automated technology to get them where they want to go. But that doesn't mean they're against automotive technology.

Safety features are popular

Consumers of all ages say they are interested in learning more about technology-related safety features, such as emergency braking and steering, lane-change assist, and cameras that illuminate blind spots. They're just not ready to take their hands off the wheel, and Kolodge says that attitude is hardening.

“Forty percent of Boomers do not see any benefits to self-driving vehicles," she said. "Automated driving is a new and complex concept for many consumers; they’ll have to experience it firsthand to fully understand it."

Perhaps, but the question remains just exactly how they will experience it. It is highly unlikely that the average consumer will be able to afford a self-driving car, at least not one of the early models.

Expensive cars

Price is something neither the automotive not technology industries are talking much about. Technology publisher Quartz Media recently noted the reticence of experts to discuss price, but said it found one who ballparked the cost of a fully autonomous vehicle at $250,000.

So far, however, the consumers who are open to autonomous vehicles aren't too worried about price. For all five of the technologies with the largest purchase intent gap, Gen Y/Gen Z has a stronger intent to buy than Boomers. These consumers say they are definitely or probably interested before they even know the price.

Price alone, however, is probably not the only hesitation on the part of skeptical consumers. They may share some of the same concerns as safety advocates, who have urged both industry and government policymakers to tap on the brakes as the move to put self-driving cars on the road.

Amazon's plan to gobble up Whole Foods is causing indigestion on Capitol Hill and elsewhere as critics worry the plan would be too successful or, on the other hand, not successful enough.

Rep. David Cicilline (D-R.I.), for one, thinks the merger would take too big a bite out of competition.

“Competition is essential for a healthy economy. That’s true across the board. Amazon’s proposed purchase of Whole Foods could impact neighborhood grocery stores and hardworking consumers across America,” said Cicilline in a prepared statement. “Congress has a responsibility to fully scrutinize this merger before it goes ahead. Failing to do so is a disservice to our constituents.” 

Cicilline, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee, is asking his collegues to hold a hearing on the $13.7 billion acquisition.

Cicilline is not alone. Consumer Watchdog wants the feds to block the merger "until the online retailing giant formally consents to halt its deceptive pricing practices that falsely lead consumers to believe they are getting deals with discounted prices."

"Slime Day"

In a statement issued on Prime Day earlier this month, the nonprofit consumer advocacy group cited studies that it said found Amazon's reference prices were often misleading, causing consumers to think they were getting a great deal when in fact they were paying as much, or more, than the prevailing price. 

“While Amazon celebrates its Prime Day, their pricing scams may make it more like Slime Day,” said John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog Privacy Project director.

The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW), meanwhile, says the merger would cost thousands of Whole Foods workers their jobs. 

“Amazon’s very business model is to remove as many humans from all facets of production and service as possible. Much like Walmart’s big box model destroyed small businesses when they spread across the country, the Amazon automation threat is arguably greater and worse if it comes to fruition – the destruction of 16 million service and retail jobs," Perrone said in an op-ed on CNN.com. 

But will it work?

Leaving aside for a moment the critics like those quoted above, one prominent retail analyst is skeptical that Amazon would be successful in the grocery business. 

The appeal of food retailing is obvious, says Jim Tompkins, CEO of Tompkins International and MonarchFx, supply chain and retail operations consultants -- "huge revenues, repeat business and in-store traffic."

Tompkins says these undeniable strengths have resulted in "a proliferation of food retail models ranging from dollar stores, off-price stores, convenience stores, drug stores, supermarkets, discount supermarkets, premium supermarkets, farmers markets, restaurants, online retailers, specialty/natural food stores, supercenters and warehouse clubs."

But "the appeal and fascination fades when the reality of low margins, a shameful amount of waste and slow sales growth sets in," he warned.

"Although there are many lessons to be learned from grocery to non-grocery retail, one needs to be aware that with the margins in food retailing being substantially lower than in non-food retailing, what is true in grocery may or may not be applicable to non-food retailers," Tompkins said.

Acquiring, storing and delivering fresh foods is a lot different from selling e-books, shoes and households goods, Tompkins cautioned. He warned that Amazon would be "jumping into the deep end of the pool" with the Whole Foods acquisition.

Whether you need to log a few extra hours at the office or simply make a quick trip to the store, you might wonder when it’s okay to leave your child home alone.

Being home alone is a big responsibility that not every child may be ready to handle. For safety’s sake, experts recommend making sure your child has the skills and maturity to handle being home alone.

The National SafeKids campaign recommends that no child under the age of 12 be left at home alone, but age isn’t the only factor to take into account before trusting your child to stay home alone.

What to consider 

First, parents should look at the laws in their state regarding this issue. Different states have different age restrictions for latchkey kids. In Illinois, for example, children must be 14 or older before they can be left alone in the house.

After making sure your child is legally in the clear to be left home alone, assess his or her willingness to be home alone. It's also crucial to consider their development and emotional well-being.

While some kids may have the maturity level and capabilities to handle the situation safely, others may not. Lynn Yaney, spokeswoman for the agency that handles child welfare in Contra Costa County, California, recommends judging children 12 and older on a case-by-case basis.

"A general rule of thumb is that kids under age seven aren't capable of thinking logically and putting cause and effect together," Yaney said. "They are reliant on caregivers to structure their day."

“Children between ages 7 and 10 years aren't generally ready to self-supervise for an extended period, but in a routine and predictable environment, such as just after school, they can manage,” she said.

Safety skills

Kids who will be trusted to stay home alone should know how to stay safe in the absence of parents and caretakers.

The experts at Childwelfare.gov recommend making sure your child knows the following:

• What to do if a visitor comes to the door.
• The full names and contact information of other trusted adults, in case of emergency.
• Where you are and how to contact you at all times.
• How to follow your family’s safety plan for emergencies.
• How to lock or secure the doors.
• What to do if they get locked out.

Once you have determined that your child is ready to stay home alone, lay some ground rules for what is and isn’t allowed when you are not home. Parents should set clear limits on TV, computers, and devices.

Additionally, be sure to check in on your child while you’re away. If you are unable to call, have a trusted neighbor or friend check in.