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Is Your Child Home Alone After School?
Tips to Make Latch Key Kids Safer

Deciding whether a child is ready to stay home alone after school is tough for most parents. By law, most provinces in Canada require that children age 10 and under be supervised at all times by an adult. But age is only one factor. Parents need to assess their child's level of maturity before making this step. Is your child confident and independent? Can your child cope in an emergency?

To help parents evaluate this, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada has partnered with Sears Canada to create "Does This Ring A Bell," a free resource available at www.bgccan.com, which offers tips for children who are alone after school and advice about after-school programs and childcare.

If you feel your child is ready to be home alone, prepare a plan that includes these safety procedures:

• Practice locking and unlocking doors with your child.

• Show your child where the first aid kit is and review first aid and fire safety rules.

• Prepare an emergency power blackout kit with flashlight and battery operated radio.

• Review emergency phone numbers and post them within easy reach.

• Discuss what your child should do if someone knocks at the door or telephones.

• Direct your child to lock all doors once safely home and to call you to check in periodically.

• Establish phone rules and whether your child may have friends to visit.

• Schedule homework, snacking and TV watching.

• Arrange for back-up help from a trusted friend or neighbour.

• Continue to monitor the arrangement.

- News Canada

Related Links of Interest:

PFD: Latchkey Kids

When It's Just You After School

Living as a Latchkey Kid