IS YOUR CHILD READY TO BE HOME ALONE?

Certain situations in our daily lives make it inevitable to leave our children at home alone.

It is possible that you had an extended meeting at the office or your child comes home from school earlier than you do. When these events happen make sure that you place premium on your child’s safety.

1. Prepare safety measures when you leave your child home alone. Discuss possible scenarios and situations with your child. Make him understand the reasons why he needs to be alone.

2. Discern if your child is mature enough to be left alone at home.

3. Teach your child how to call the emergency hotline. In case of suspicious individuals lurking around the house, have a list of numbers near the phone that your child can easily call for help.

4. Keep track of your children to make sure that they have reached home safe by calling.

5. Provide a routine or a schedule that your child can follow. This will prevent him from wandering off or doing other things that might compromise his safety.

6. Advise your kid not to answer telephone calls from unknown callers, instead leave them to be taken by the answering machine.

7. Always check that the alarm systems at home are working to make sure that your child is alerted when there is something wrong inside the home.

8. Teach your child the basic first aid procedures. Rehearse the steps with him from time to time so your child will remember what to do when he gets minor injuries.