Schools are out for the summer which means some kids may be staying at home alone, perhaps for the first time, while their parents are at work. 

“This is a great time of year for parents to go over some reminders with their kids to help keep them safe,” according to Cherokee County Sheriff David  Groves.

“Some basic safety tips, but worthy of going over again, include:

• Never provide personal information such as your name and address to people you meet online, regardless of who they say they are or how old they claim to be.
• Don’t broadcast or tell people you are home alone.
• Don’t feel obligated to open the door just because someone is knocking.  If you don’t know who it is, don’t answer it.
• If you leave the house, keep your parents informed on where you are going and who you will be with.
• Know what to do if there is a fire or tornado warning, especially if you are alone or watching younger siblings.
• Have an alternative contact, such as a nearby neighbor, in case something comes up and you can’t reach your parents.

“In addition to the tips mentioned above, it’s also very important for parents to know what, if any publicly registered offenders live near their homes, or the homes of babysitters, swimming pool, parks frequented by their kids or any other locations their kids may be playing,” continued Sheriff Groves. 

“Residents can go to our website, www.cherokeecountykssheriff.com, click on the Registered Offenders Tab, and enter as many addresses as they would like. If an offender lives within a two mile radius, or a new offender moves into that radius, an email alert notification will be sent out by our office.”

“It’s also important to have a conversation about the importance of being guarded against online predators, who may be posing as other kids with similar interests, in order to solicit information or inappropriate photographs or videos from victims.  There are many apps which help parents to regulate and monitor their child’s online conduct,” concluded Sheriff Groves.