Leaving Children Home Alone

Sometimes it is necessary to leave children home alone, whether you are at work while they are coming home from school, going to the grocery store, or out handling other errands. There are certain steps you can take to ensure that your children are safe even when home alone.

• Post an emergency phone list somewhere easily visible for your children and leave a phone for the child to use.
• Practice an emergency plan with your children so they know what to do if there is a fire, if they get hurt, or if there are any other emergencies.
• Let children know where emergency supplies are, such as flashlights and first aid.
• Safely store dangerous or hazardous items away from children.
  • Knives
  • Guns
  • Medicines
  • Detergents
  • Scissors
  • Etc.
• Install safety covers on electrical outlets.
• Tell your children to not talk about being home alone on social media or on public websites.
• Set up a schedule for checking up on your children. (Have them send a text each hour, or call at a certain time.)

• Lock the doors
• Never open the door to strangers
  • Not even delivery people or service representatives
• Don’t tell anyone online that you are home alone.
• Never leave the house without permission
• Don’t have friends over without permission
• If you smell smoke or hear the fire alarm go to a neighbor and ask them to call the fire department.
• Check up with your parents, so they know you are safe.

The most important thing is to simply talk with your children about safety. You know your children best, and you know if they are responsible enough to be left home alone. Teach them some of the basic tips above and set some basic ground rules for when they are home alone. Stay safe!

Dalton Davidson, Safety and Security Intern