Home Alone Safety
Some Resources and Tools related to child home alone safety that parents can find useful:
**Reputable Organizations:**
**American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)**
Provides guidance on assessing a child’s readiness to stay home alone and tips for ensuring their safety.
Website: https://www.aacap.org
**Child Welfare Information Gateway**
Offers information on child supervision, guidelines for determining when children can be left alone, and safety tips.
Website: https://www.childwelfare.gov
**Educational Materials:**
**Home Alone Guidelines by SafeKids Worldwide**
Offers age-specific guidelines for parents on when children might be ready to stay home alone and safety considerations.
Website: https://www.safekids.org/home-alone
**Home Alone: Is Your Child Ready? by KidsHealth**
Provides tips for parents on evaluating their child’s maturity and readiness for being home alone.
**Child Safety Products:**
**Security Systems and Smart Home Devices**
1. **Security Systems and Smart Home Devices** – Consider investing in security systems that include features like cameras, doorbell cameras, and home automation to monitor and secure your home when your child is alone.
Various manufacturers offer these products. Research for options available in your region.
**Keyless Entry Locks**
These locks can be operated through smartphones, eliminating the need for physical keys and enhancing home security.
Brands like August, Schlage, and Kwikset offer such locks.
**Government Resources:**
**Latchkey Kids Guidelines by Child Welfare Information Gateway**
Offers considerations for parents when deciding if their child is ready to be a “latchkey kid” (staying home alone).
**Home Alone Guidelines by Canadian Red Cross**
Provides advice on preparing children to stay home alone, including safety rules and emergency plans.
Website: https://www.redcross.ca
**Printable Home Alone Safety Checklist:**
**Home Alone Safety Checklist**
Here’s a simple home alone safety checklist that parents can use:
**Emergency Contacts:**
Display a list of emergency contacts near the phone, including parents' numbers, neighbors, and 911
**Phone Rules:**
Ensure your child knows when and how to use the phone. Practice dialing emergency numbers.
**Fire Safety:**
Teach your child about fire hazards and what to do in case of a fire. Make sure smoke detectors are working.
**Home Security:**
Lock all doors and windows. Teach your child how to use any security system or alarms.
**Kitchen Safety:**
Discuss safe kitchen practices, such as using the microwave or preparing simple snacks.
**No Answering the Door:**
Advise your child not to answer the door for strangers.
**Internet and Screen Time:**
Set guidelines for internet and screen use.
**Emergency Plan:**
Review what to do in case of emergencies like power outages or severe weather.
**Check-In:**
Establish a routine for your child to check in with you.
Remember !
Each family’s situation is unique. The checklist can be customized to suit your child’s age, maturity level, and the specific layout of your home. It’s important to have open communication with your child about home alone safety and to practice scenarios together.