Every parent of a child approaching the age of 10 begins to wonder when it’s okay to leave the child alone at home. It’s an individual decision, of course, based on the child’s maturity and degree of comfort with being left alone, but there is a universal consideration and steps parents can take to prepare for this milestone in a family’s life.
Questions to Ask
Once a parent has decided the child is old enough and mature enough to stay home alone, the most important consideration in determining whether it’s doable is access to immediate help if needed.
- Can the child call a trusted neighbor in the event of uncertainty about a particular situation?
- Can a family member agree to be on call and nearby for the first several times the child is left alone?
- Does the home-security system include a way to summon help immediately?
Security System
A home-security system is one of the best ways to protect children at home alone. As Lifeshield.com security reviews indicate, a home security system provides not only peace of mind for children and their parents, but the latest easy-to-use technology, too. Technology advancements simplify teaching children how to respond in the event of an urgent situation.
Set Rules
Most of the time kids are just fine from a security perspective when they’re staying alone. But they need to know basic safety rules and have important phone numbers close at hand. So, post your cell number and any other phone numbers where your child can reach you or another trusted adult in multiple locations within your home, including the bathroom. Instruct your child to carry his cell phone in a pocket, so it’s instantly accessible, if necessary. Parenting.org suggests you instruct your children to:
- Never open the door for anyone.
- Stay inside until you come home.
- Use caller ID to screen calls.
- Answer the phone and take a message without indicating they are alone.
- Dial 9-1-1 only in true emergency situations: smelling smoke or seeing flames, when someone is having trouble breathing or communicating or when someone is trying to break into the house. Otherwise, they should call you.
- Follow fire procedures that you teach them by practicing two escape routes from every room.
- Prepare or consume food that doesn’t require cooking. Depending on the child’s age, even using the microwave may not be advisable.
Lock it Up
No matter how grown up an 11-year-old might seem, he or she is probably not old enough to be around certain items without adult supervision. According to kidshealth.org, secure anything that could be a health or safety risk by locking it up or putting it in a place where kids can’t get to it:
- Alcohol
- Prescription medications
- Guns (locked up, unloaded and stored away from ammunition)
- Tobacco
- Car keys
- Lighters and matches.
For the first few months after you begin allowing your child to be home alone, review the rules and your expectations every time you will be gone. Don’t assume your child will remember them from one occasion of being home alone to the next. By refreshing his or her memory, both you and your child will feel more secure and comfortable.
| Stephanie is a freelance writer and hair stylist who resides in New Mexico. |
