DEAR HARRIETTE: If a person wearing a police/fireman’s uniform knocked on the door when my kids were home alone, should they open the door? How do I teach my children to protect themselves from strangers and still respect people in
DEAR HARRIETTE: If a person wearing a police/fireman’s uniform knocked on the door when my kids were home alone, should they open the door? How do I teach my children to protect themselves from strangers and still respect people in authority?
— Marjorie, Seattle, Wash.
Dear Marjorie: My vote is for children not to open the door for strangers, period. That includes people wearing uniforms. Unfortunately, there are too many people who do bad things in the world. One of those bad things is pretending to be an officer of the law only to turn around and invade someone’s home. While a uniformed person could be legitimate, I recommend that you tell your children to go find an adult to come to the door — if one is at home. If no adult is present, have the child call an adult and describe what’s happening and ask for guidance while the door remains closed.
The only exception would be in an obvious case of emergency. If the child or someone else in the home called for emergency support and it arrives, they should open the door after learning that the person is responding to the call.
Your job as a parent is to teach your children to respect adults in general and officials in particular — and to teach them that your domain is sacred and only people you know well are allowed to enter. If there’s ever any question, you must be consulted, period.
• Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o United Feature Syndicate, 200 Madison Ave., New York, NY 10016.
