I'm considering leaving my children home alone while I am at work this summer. Are there any laws or guidelines I need to know about the age it is generally considered safe to leave children home alone?
According to the National Child Care Information Center Maryland and Illinois have specific laws stipulating the age at which a child can be left home alone. However, the National SAFEKIDS Campaign recommends that no child under the age of 12 be left home alone
< P>When you're ready to leave your child home alone for the first time, be sure to:Consider your child's age and maturity level. For example, if your child tends to be impulsive, you should wait until he or she is older than 12. Take our online quiz "Is My Child Ready to Stay Home Alone?",for help determining your child's level of maturity and independence.
Begin with several "dry runs" where you leave your child home alone for short periods of time.
Leave a phone number where you can be reached. If possible, provide a land line in addition to your cell phone number, just in case your company's service is disrupted for any reason.
Call home to check on your child.
If possible, make arrangements for your child to check in with you, or with a relative or neighbor, while you are out.
Thoroughly prepare your child for staying home alone. Consider using a book, such as Dottie Raymer's Staying Home Alone, to discuss what it means to make safe choices.Be specific in discussing your expectations and how you would like your child to use his or her time. For example:
Is the TV allowed? If so, are there any channels that are off-limits?
Do you want your child to answer the phone?
Should homework be completed before you arrive?
=#333333 size=1 face=Verdana>May your child use the computer?
Can your child have friends over while you're not at home?
Can he or she go to other friends' houses?
Make sure your home is childproof. For example:
Are medications kept in a locked cabinet?
Are there firearms in the home?
If so, are they in a locked cabinet and/or do they have child safety locks?
What could your child potentially get into that might cause harm? Practice handling emergencies. For example:
What would you do in an emergency?
What if someone were trying to get into the house?
Ask your child if he or she feels confident and ready to stay home alone. If he or she is hesitant, hire a babysitter and reconsider this issue in six months.
Are the house rules, neighbors' phone numbers, your emergency contact information, and instructions for handling an emergency clearly posted in your home?
Have you worked out a system for storing your front door key, either with your child or in a lock box outside your home?
Have you spoken with your child about what is expected of him or her while you are not home?
Have you role played how to handle various emergency situations?
Has your child demonstrated in multiple settings that he or she is consistently responsible (for example, at home, at school, and when visiting other friends' homes)?
Does your child regularly follow your instructions, whether you are present or not?
Can your child explain to you in detail you what he or she would do in an emergency, including a fire, an intruder, or a medical emergency?
Does your child know about the specific consequences which would apply if he or she chose not follow the rules while he or she was home?
Has your child demonstrated that he or she is capable of calling you on your cell phone?
Are there one or two neighbors nearby whom your child could call if a situation arose where he or she needed immediate assistance, but the emergency was not severe enough to warrant calling 9-1-1?
Have you developed a routine for what your child will be doing while he or she is home alone?
Has your child demonstrated an ability to stand up to peer pressure and think for himself or herself?
Does your child know what rules he or she must follow when you are not home?
When using a cell phone to call 9-1-1, calls can sometimes be routed to regional call centers, rather than local 9-1-1 operators. In this situation, the caller must be prepared to state his or her city and general type of emergency before being connected with the appropriate local authorities. Would you child know how to do this if he or she had to call 9-1-1 from a cell phone?
Have you discussed with your child what kinds of situations require a call to 9-1-1?
Is your child capable of calling 9-1-1 in an emergency, calmly explaining the problem, and stating your address?
Is your home childproof? (For example, are medicines and firearms locked up?)
Is it legal in the state where you live for your child to stay home alone?
Does your child know your home phone number and address?
