Home alone? KATU tests kids on staying safe

UNDATED – The first time children hold down the fort at home without a babysitter is a major milestone for them and their parents.

Problem Solver Shellie Bailey-Shah, with permission from  three sets of parents, recently put some kids to the test to see how closely they followed their parents' instructions to stay safe.

In the first two test cases, a KATU photographer, Kevin Eyres, dressed in a plain yellow hard hat and reflective vest and knocked on the front door of two homes, saying he was with the power company. He had no specific logos on his clothes.

Inside the first home, two young boys came to the door but did not open it, despite repeated pleas to enter to check some electrical equipment. However, the boys did say that their mother was not home - information safety advocates say children should not let slip.

After a few minutes, the boys called their mother, Bonney, for help, ending the test. At that point, Shellie and the boys’ mother returned to the home and advised them not  to reveal that an adult was not home.

The second test did not go as well. The lone young boy in the home, Joey, quickly came out the door to meet Kevin before he even made it to the porch.

He willingly lead the impostor to the garage area to see the circuit breaker and also said he is home alone. Joey also let Kevin inside the home to check the pilot light.

In the third test, Kevin went from power company worker to a delivery man with a tempting treat: a bouquet of cookies.

Mom Anne says she has made the rules to her son, Daniel, clear about what to do if someone comes to the door: never open it. But with several rings of the door bell and a basket full of treats, Kevin wears Daniel down, and he eventually opens the door.

But moments later, when Kevin asks to come inside, Daniel slams the door and bolts the lock. He quickly calls his mom and tells her he is “a little creeped out” by the encounter. But he has already made a major mistake by opening the door in the first place.

The American Red Cross offers local classes, called "When I'm in Charge," to teach children how to respond when left home alone. 

For more information, click here.