Home Alone Safety Tips for Parents and Children
Many parents juggling school drop offs, music lessons, grocery shopping, etc., share the anxiety, frustration and even fear involved in leaving children on their own - home alone - when school lets out. Child care arrangements with neighbours and relatives break down, or there simply are no other alternatives.The decision to allow a child to stay home alone should be made on an individual basis irrespective of laws (or the lack of laws) defining when a child is old enough to be left home alone. This decision should be based on the child's readiness and confidence to be left home alone. Generally, no child under the age of seven should be left home alone for any period of time.
Can your children be trusted to stay home alone? Are they able to use telephones, locks and kitchen appliances appropriately? Can they follow rules and instructions? Can they handle unexpected situations without panicking? Can they stay home alone without fear?
For more information on how you can teach your children to stay safe, see the follow up article 10 Tips to Improve Your Child's Safety.
Home Alone Safety Tips for Children
- Post a list of emergency telephone numbers including family members, trusted friends and neighbours, and emergency personnel.
- Make sure your child knows his/her telephone number and address. Write these along with the list of emergency numbers. If stressed, your child should be able to read them back (along with directions to your house) to an operator in case of emergency.
- If your child is coming back alone, they should check in with a neighbour or by calling you as soon as they arrive.
- They should carry their house key with them - do not leave keys under the mat or in your post box.
- To not go into the house if things do not appear right - a broken window, a door ajar.
- Keep all doors and windows locked after entering the house, and if they are home alone.
- To never accept gifts or rides from people they don't know well.
- To never let anyone into the house without your permission.
- To never let a caller at the door or on the phone know they are home alone.
- Keep a first aid kit in your house. Teach your child basic first aid.
- Teach your child what to do in case of fire and discuss safety tips.
- Limit the kind of cooking that can be done without adult supervision.
- Call and check on your child.
- Always tell your child if you are going to be home late.
Some safety products that might help ensure better safety for children staying home alone:
- Two relay digital keypad door entry set with 600lbs magnetic lock
- Wireless video doorphone intercom system 4.2" screen monitor and night vision camera
- Safe eyes parental control suite
- 2.4GHz wireless color screw hidden surveillance camera
- Hidden or concealed camera
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- Child Safety and the Poisons Information Centre
- Free Software to Ensure Internet Safety for Children
- Child Safety in the Bath
- Child Pool Safety at Home
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