Kids learn skills in Clarendon Hills for being home alone

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American Red Cross instructor Donna Giove works with Emma Shannon (left) while Olivia Miller looks on during a Jan. 18 "Home Alone" class at the Clarendon Hills Park District. | Chuck Fieldman~Sun-Times Media

Updated: February 27, 2012 8:12AM

The “Home Alone” class offered Jan. 18 by the Clarendon Hills Park District offered some good lessons for children, even if they actually won’t be left home alone to practice what they learned.

In fact, with the children who took part in the class, taught by American Red Cross instructor Donna Giove, ranging in age from 6 to 9, being left home alone isn’t something that happens very often. And when it does, it’s usually not for more than about 30 minutes at a time during daylight hours.

“The idea of the class is to prepare kids as early as possible so that they know who they can go to for help, what to do in an emergency and what things never to do,” Giove said. “This is a little introduction for them to give them some basics about how to be safe at home with others or alone.”

Julie Shannon signed up two of her children, Jack, 9, and Emma, 7. The Shannons also have two other children, ages 5 and 3.

“I figured it couldn’t hurt for (Jack and Emma) to take the class,” Julie Shannon said. “There are some useful hints and safety tips for them to learn.”

Jack said he doesn’t mind keeping an eye on his younger siblings, something he occasionally does for short periods. But he also said it’s not always easy being the big brother.

“I’m the oldest, and sometimes it’s tough,” he said. “They just keep begging me for snacks.”

When you have the responsibility of keeping an eye on siblings, or anyone else, the key to meeting that charge is to make certain that you do keep both eyes on whoever you are supposed to be watching, said Olivia Miller, 8, who has two younger siblings, ages 6 and 4.

“You have to stay with the person you’re with,” Olivia said. “That’s very important.

“We also learned that if you come home from school and see a cracked window, there might be a robber in the house, so you shouldn’t go in; you should get help.”

Julian Chow, 6, was signed up for the “Home Alone” class by his mother, Xenia Chow.

“My daughter took this class two years ago, and there are some good things to know,” Xenia Chow said. “I thought it would good for (Julian) to take the class, too.”

Giove said children are taught in the class what to do if they are faced with an emergency.

“We talk about what to do if there’s a fire, if someone gets hurt or if someone knocks on the door,” she said. “Probably, the most important thing is for them to know to call 911.”