SAHMs: Do you worry about being....

...at home alone with you children everyday, especially if they are too young to dial 000 for help if something happens to you?

I was feeling faint the other day and it occured to me that if I passed out the boys (3 and 1yo) would probably be left alone to their own devices until I regained consciousness. Heaven forbid I don't recover! Then they would be by themselves until my 12yo got home at 4pm... or if she was at sport training then they would be alone until nearly 6pm!

This really worries me somedays. Just another reason why being a SAHM is stressful due to the isolation :(

My 3yo is nearly 4 though... I think he might be able to dial 000 within the next year but he is soooo shy that getting him to speak on it would be a miracle.

.....

It does cross my mind from time to time, and our nearest neighbour is just over 2km away as the crow flies. Even though Lindsay would know how to call 000, the girls wouldn't but they do know how to use a 2-way radio, so they could call up someone that way.

yes i worry .. all the time .. like what if nix was asleep and i went to put the washing on and falling down the stairs ... i also worry about getting robbed/held up on my own ... im worry fro nixons sake ... id hate to think that if i was a hostage or something that they would hurt nix and theres nothining i can do ... makes me shudder just thinking about it ... :(

Well I think I might teach my nearly 4yo how to use a phone.... we have 2 in the house... when my DD gets home i might do a role play. I'll pretend to "break my leg" and can't walk to the phone: "Can you get the phone for me darling?" (we have cordless phones). Then I'll do another role play with me outside... then one of me feeling sick in bed.... then one of me not being able to wake up. My 12yo DD will be able to help him/ prompt him. Maybe I should put a OOO sticker on the phone to remind him. Any other ideas?

yeah I do worry sometimes - we have 3 levels here anf often as I'm running up or down the stairs I wonder what would happen if I fell.
FWIW if you can teach your children to dial 000 they have number tracing so even if thier speech isn't all that good or they can't say the address they can still track you.
DH's cousin rang 000 accidently when he was 1 (a couple of years ago) and the police came over to do a welfare check - they actually have to come inside the home in case it's an abduction or hostage situation.
I should teach Yasin this week because he knows his numbers (except 0 :doh: )

Bath, you could put a spot of red on the 0 button (nail polish maybe) so he can just push the red button.

Do you know I have never really given it a thought. Kameron learnt about 000 and what to do in Kindy, but he is now in school for 6hrs a day leaving me with just Lachlan and Ashton. I do have family that make contact once a day via the phone, and if I don't answer at times they know I should be home, they automatically ring my mobile, as they know it rarely leaves my side.

If something "different" is coming up for the following day, I let mum know so she is always up to date with where I am.

Mum also is alone all day at home with work, she doesn't drive so I know she can't go out. I have tried to ring her a few times to no avail when I know she is home, so I have then rang her neighbours to go and check on her. I also ring her neighbour if the phone has been engaged for longer than and hour, in case she tried to get to the phone to call someone and collapsed or something before dialling. But in those cases she has accidently knocked the phone off the hook while working or it has been a really long phone call to my Grandmother LOL

love

This is something I thought about one day when I slipped and fell getting out of the shower. Luckily enough I didn't hurt myself, but I only just missed knocking my head on the basin. My dd is only 5mths old and my DH works for 12+hrs a day. I now try to have a shower only if DH is hom, which can be tricky sometimes....She'd be alone for so long without food or care, it really is scary, but there's nothing I could do to change it!

I think I might show him how to use the speed dial to ring his father too...

I worry about this too.... Not sure what to do about it though. Aidyn is nearly 3.5, so getting to the age where I might be able to teach him. But its just as worrying with a little bubba coming next year, when Aidyn will not be at home either on some days.
I also worry when DP is alone with Aidyn, as he has health problems...

Well, I didn't before now! I do worry when DH is night-fishing, but that's mostly if DS doesn't like dinner and I need to get him to the hospital. Another worry to add to the list...

That was a great question - made me ask my DS if he knew what to do and he was able to tell me that he had to ring police or ambulance but he was unsure of the right phone number to ring. So lesson has begun.................

Thank you Bathsheba for bringing this to my attention.

Just called DS and DD in to ask them if they knew what to do. DS did but didn't know how to turn the phone on - he does now! DD didn't know what to do so I explained she had to call 000 if I was asleep and couldn't wake up. Heres hoping she doesn't call on Sat morning when she asks me to get up and I say no honey, 5 more minutes!

Certainly worry here, especially when DH works away for 4 to 5 nights at a time. He is busy during the day so does not like phone calls and sometimes just crashes in the hotel room at night before calling. If something happened to me it could be days before someone found out.

Actually makes me glad that Maggie sleeps on the bed, rather than in a cot, that way she can get food, drinks etc for herself if need be.

Yeah I have thought about this lately.

DD is about to turn three now so I think it's probably time to show her how to use the phone...problem is that the phone is deliberately up out of her reach because she can't leave the damn thing alone. She's called my parents and friends more times than I can count hitting the redial button!!

The thought of my two being alone for hours if something happened to me makes my blood run cold...

I am butting in. I am not a SAHM, but I too worry sometime. DH goes out at night to close our shop and then I am alone for an hour. I am not afraid, I actually like being alone for 5 seconds :)
Our emergency number here are 10111. Kids are taught that it is the number that your hand makes, when you place your righthand index finger at the bottom of the thumb. Like showing you are three years old! I thought is was very origional, just wanted to share.

My DH usually calls me from work, and I have sticky beak neighbours that if Harrison was crying for too long, they would come see if something was wrong... and I am sure that Harrison would cry if something was wrong... if he doesn't have his mummy there for a nap, or have his nappy changed as soon as something happens in it, he cries.

ETA - My eldest son actually called 000 when he was 2... My ex and I had no idea... and then he was put to bed, and threw a temper tantrum... all the while, 000 was on the phone... anyway... about an hour later, ex and I were watching TV in our room, when there was a flashlight shining outside... there was a knock on the door... it was the police... Jamie jumped out of bed because ex and I were talking to the Police... we were told to make sure he couldn't get to the phone again because apparently 000 is the easiest number for little kids to dial.

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I am butting in. I am not a SAHM, but I too worry sometime.

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Not butting in at all Nadine :)
I think this must be a worry for anyone who spends any time at home alone with little children.

I actually showed Marisa how to call John ages ago, because I knew that in an emergency, she hghly likely wouldn't speak to a stranger. So she knows John's mobile off by heart and how to speed dial him on my mobile, through finding him in the contacts list.

Just come across an article about what we were talking about:

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Sick mum owes her life to pint-sized happy hero
September 15, 2007 12:00am

WHEN a mystery illness struck down Sasha Serger only her four-year-old daughter stood between her and tragedy.

Brave Chelsea found her mother slumped unconscious by her bedroom door about 2pm on Wednesday and leapt into action.

She scrolled through her mother's mobile phone contact list and made the call that might have saved her life.

"I called my daddy," Chelsea told The Daily Telegraph yesterday.

John Sandys-Silakivai told Chelsea to put a wet cloth on her mum's forehead while he called an ambulance.

"It didn't work. She didn't wake up," said Chelsea, who greeted ambulance officers at the front door of her Peakhurst house with a nappy bag in hand for baby sister Charlotte.

Ms Serger was rushed to hospital suffering concussion from smashing her head on a door knob when she fell.

She was immediately put on a morphine drip as Chelsea comforted her baby sister during the traumatic ambulance dash.

Ms Serger said she was amazed how calm Chelsea had remained during the crisis.

"She has been reading since she was three so she could recognise John's name in the phone," she said.

"Chelsea is very bright, inquisitive child who wants to learn everything."

Ms Serger said she was terrified to think of what could have happened if Chelsea had not been there to help.

"All I remember is hanging out the washing, then I put Charlotte to bed but I can't remember anything after that," she said.

"I don't remember hitting my head and I don't know how long I was unconscious for."

Giggling and happy to have her mother home after 24 hours in hospital, Chelsea yesterday said she did not know how she did so well when she discovered her mother crumpled on the floor.

"I was scared but I am happy she is out of hospital now," she said.

Still weak, Ms Serger said she was thrilled her daughter was so capable at such a young age.

"You teach them all these skills but you never think this will happen to you. And then it did. She saved us. I am so proud," she said.

Mr Sandys-Silakivai said Chelsea's phone call had scared him.

"We are so lucky Chelsea was at home. If it was a school day ... I don't want to think about what could have happened," he said.

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Yes I have been thinking about this heaps lately as my DD is 16 months old and cant talk and cant reach a phone all the time nor would she know what buttons to press.

I am not to sure what to do about it either and my sister is in the same boat but her oldest in nearly 3.5 so he would be able to do more if my sister hurt herself or something.

I dont really know what to do about it but I should try and keep my mobile close or something in case something happened to me.

When we played pretend with toy phones, we'd pretend that someone was sick and couldn't move and she'd have to ring 000, not just that but also she'd have to say her name and her address. Whilst I think its great to call dad I'd prefer her to call an emergency service iykwim? Still good to know to call dad after maybe? But that suited us because Paris is confident talking on the phone otherwise daddy would be the best option iykwim?

Wow...ive not ever thought about this one til you mentioned it....hmmm now u have me thinking.

Considering my lil girl cant say much more then Mum, Dad, Bub and nan....let alone dial 000....i think id be up $hit creek to say the least.

Bath - do you have speed dialling on your phone? The simple ones where you don't have to press 20 different numbers to make the speed dial work! ;) You could program it into the phone and teach them to use that. But I like the suggestion someone made about putting a red dot on the 0 button.

When I have taught kids how to call 000, we have done lots and lots of role play including me pretending to be the phone operator and asking all the questions they ask. The first thing they ask is "Police, fire, or ambulance?" and then patch through to the appropriate service where they ask questions like name, address, what is wrong etc.

Don't fret if your little one is too shy to speak on the phone. If they are able to dial 000, 000 WILL trace the call and send police around (as someone else said). Even if your phone number is a "silent" number, it will show up on their system and they can track it back to your residence.

Are your neighbours home during the day? Do your kids know them? That is another really good alternative - knowing to go to the neighbours if something is wrong. You can teach them under what circumstances you want them to go to the neighbours (i.e. if Mummy/Daddy can't wake up, if Mummy/Daddy falls and can't get up, if Mummy/Daddy tells you etc). If they can go to your neighbour and alert them to your condition - your neighbour can call the ambulance for you.


HTH and try not to fret too much.

MG

I occasionally think about it, especially as my DH is a shift worker. My biggest worry is that something happens while my DD is in the bath - cause then she would drown and that is frightening as no-one would be home for at least another 12 hours. I don't think about it too much though, just pray that nothing happens - there's nothing I can do about it until my DD is older.

Well i'm on my own. No DH/DP is ever coming home and DD is too small to learn about phoning for help.

DP has keys to my place but he's only here once or twice a week. XP comes over most days but if he's away/busy then no-one does. My neighbours are friendly enough but would never check on me - if i hammered for help or Smee screamed for hours they MIGHT come, but i wouldn't count on it. Also they work so aren't about in the day anyway.

I keep my mobile nearby but there's bugger all i can do about it really. It's in the lap of the gods. So no, i have to admit, i don't really think/worry about it.

Bx

Just a helpful hint here, if your (older) kids call for help, make sure you have the info they need to give close at hand.

Write up something and put it next to the phone with:
Your Address
Your Street / suburb

And then also closest cross-streets. If you live on a highway, 1357 is a huge pain to find, but "near Brown Street" makes it easier for the emergency crews.

Also train the kids to (if possible) wait outside the house for the emergency crews, especially if you live in a back flat etc.

didn't worry me until about 6 months ago and i ended up collapsing after taking 2 strong codeine tablets on an empty stomach after a morning of running round and forgetting to drink. We were having sandwiches when i knew i was going to go so lay on the floor before i fell. Fortunately the phone was only on the table so i can't remember if i manage to get it or Oscar got it - i rang DH and he got a taxi home but i was still on my own with the boys for 15 minutes and out of it. Even though Will must have been less than a year he knew something was wrong with mummy and he just came and sat with me not moving as did Oscar. When James go thome he called the 24 hour helpline as i wasn't unconcious, just not able to move or talk much and they called an ambulance so i was hauled off to RPH in a 'mummy truck as Oscar called ambulances for a few weeks after. The worse thing was going to hossy and knowing that DH couldn't come with me as we had no one to look after the kids and there was no way he could have really brought them with him. i ended up staying there for around 6 hours and having a drip in basically being treated for the effects of exhaustion, dehydration and codeine! i was pretty embarrassed about the whole affair as it was just me being stupid and not looking after myself that could have put my kids at risk but it has given me some confidence knowing that in an emergency they do seem to understand something is not right and behaved like little angels and didn't run riot trying to hurt each other.
I think if i had been unable to use the phone myself then Oscar could have rung 000 as he recongnises the letter O (due to his name) so if i could talk him through it he would at least be able to call.
anyway, enough rambling about my daft experience - hope it doesn't happen to anyone else

Julie x

Oh Julie, not a daft experience, it just goes to show you that your kids can really surprise you. It's good that you can turn a negative into a positive and see it as a learning experience for Oscar at least.

I do worrie about this but have done nothing to help my kids know what to do if I need help. I think you can get 000 stickers from the fire department as they like you to have it near the phone so that the kid will alway know what numbers to press. I really should start to paractice this as DH is away for two weeks at a time and if DS was at school no one would even know something was wrong until I didnt come to get him. but DD4yrs does know her daddys mobil number so maybe she would just ring him.

Just to update this: I've had to call 000 for an ambulance twice in the past 3 weeks! Fist because my DS5yo put his arm through a window sustaining a bad laceration... and secondly for a teen boy (friend of DD) who badly broke his arm after falling from a tree... sheesh! Have enrolled into a Red Cross first aid course... and still hoping I won't be the victim unless my DD14 or DH is around!

I've never actually thought about it. I'm at home alone during the day with an 11 month old...he's not old enough to learn how to use the phone yet. :(

Bath, this has been on my mind a bit lately. Mostly because I've been a bit accident prone of late and am always worried about falling down our stairs. Whilst DD is very good at following instructions (when she wants to), and loves fetching my phone, she wouldn't know how to call 000 or open the gate to the stairs if I've locked it behind me to stop her following. I used to worry about her not being able to reach my phone but she's learnt how to use her stool to reach things I've put "out of reach" :wall:

Good on you for enrolling in a First Aid Course!

MG: I'm actually doing the course in Greensborough... through the Red Cross. Apparently as of May 1st St. John's Ambulance are no longer running first aid courses.

Really?! I wonder why... it's always been a good money earner for them... well, in SA anyway. Might have to ask a few people about that!

AND

ooooooooooooooo what time is your course?! And where in Greensborough?! We might just have to have a coffee! depending on what shift I'm on - just realised it's a Friday! Are you doing it over the weekend or 1 day a week for a few weeks?

I'm doing a Senior Level First Aid course that takes 4 evenings (15 hours) to complete. 6.30pm - 10.30pm on 4 consecutive Mondays in May.... and yes! a meetup would be great if your shifts allow :)

Also it's fantastic how our health fund are 100% covering the cost of the course! I'm looking forward to it! Although I'm worried about the 10.30pm finish... I'm not much of a night owl... hope I can still concentrate at that hour! Probably should start a new thread to ask other members what they thought of their FA courses.

There are times I wonder about this... I have very low blood pressure and there have been several times when I've just passed out cold for no reason at all, and I've been alone with DD. Thankfully my blackouts only last a few seconds to a minute or two, but DD is one of those kids where a few seconds of no supervision could spell disaster for her (eg she can climb a chair and unlock the front door, climb the gate to unlatch it and run out into the street, or get into the laundry if the babygate isn't properly latched and get into cleaning products, or best-case scenario, get into the fridge and destroy a week's worth of groceries!). She's far too young to be able to dial 000 in the case of an emergency, although she loves playing with the phone and always asks me to call her daddy or nanna so she can have a chat.

If something serious did happen to me, I suppose I'd just have to pray to God it was at one of those times DD was in her cot on time-out, or down for a nap - that way she's contained and despite the fact that she'd be alone and screaming her head off to be let out until DH comes home (for either lunch at 11:30, or knock-off time around 5) or my mum pops by in the afternoon for a coffee (after 1:30pm). Sometimes DH calls during the day but if I didn't answer he wouldn't think anything of it - if I had the car he'd assume I was out spending money, and if he had the car he'd assume I'd called mum to take me out to spend some money lol. So he wouldn't organise to come home and check.

Our neighbours, for the most part, would be pretty unhelpful. On one side there's a church (so it's vacant except Saturday mornings when they have services), on the other side is a couple who just moved in and don't have much to do with us or anybody else, and across the road is that annoying little twit who invites all his mates over at 10am for beer and incredibly loud music (so he would never hear DD's screams over his doof-doof, even if he were the type of person to come an investigate instead of thinking, "God, shut that frickin' kid up, I'm trying to get drunk!").

I do worry about it every now and then... part and parcel of being a SAHM I suppose. Until DD is big enough to dial the phone instead of punching in random numbers and then asking the dial tone, 'Daddy?! Nanna? Bye-bye!', I'll just have to pray I don't hurt myself in some way. One good thing, the house is one level so I'd only come unstuck if I were to fall down the verandah stairs!! Indoors I'm pretty safe lol :D

.... wasn't really.... until now!!! LOL!!!

I do worry about it a bit. If I hurt myself but wasn't unconscious, DD would be able to get the phone if I asked her to. But she's too young to teach to dial 000 though she was pretty adept at dialling hotel reception when we went away last week. Got a bit embarrassing after the third time.

I do worry more about something happening to DD (we have a polished concrete floor and DD has taken to hanging upside down off the couch) and not knowing what to do before an ambulance got there.

Good on you for taking the FA course Bath. It's something I should look into as well.

DP assisted in giving CPR on a train the other day so you just never know when you're going to need it.