Tips for Parents Considering leaving their child home alone

• Are they mature enough to appropriately respond to the possible risk or emergency situations that may arise?
• Do they posses the self-confidence to handle them?
• Are they able to make responsible decisions and problem solve?

Ask yourself the following questions to ensure that you have made sure your child is ready:

• Does you child know how to place an emergency call and what is important to say?
• Does you child know to call you immediately upon their arrival at home?
• Would your child know what to do if he cut, burned or injured himself?
• Do they know where the first aid kit is?         
• Is there a flashlight readily available and are the batteries fully charged?  Would you child know where the spare batteries are kept and how to replace them if need be?  
• Do you have a household fire extinguisher?  Does you child know where to find it and how to use it?         
• Is you child permitted to answer the telephone?  the door?  Does he know what to say?   
• Would your child know how to respond to deliveries (expected or unexpected), emergency requests, unscheduled visitors?
• Would they know what to do if they arrived home and the front/back door is ajar or a window is broken?                     
• Does your child know never to lend his key to anyone without your permission?
• Do they know how to reach you or a reliable alternate contact at all times?
• Have you secured ?personal items? that you child may be curious about exploring in your absence?
• Is your child allowed to have friends over?  Is her permitted to visit them or a neighbour?     
• What has your child been instructed to do if he suddenly feels ill?
• Does your child advise you of any changes of plans and know to always check with you first?

Home Alone Safety Tips