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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.

In the USA, the law on when it is safe to leave children alone in the home varies by state. Most provinces in Canada require that children age 10 and under be supervised at all times by an adult.

In many countries the decision is based on community laws, but most agree that by 10 or 12 many young tweens are ready to take this step towards independence.

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? Will siblings be home alone together? If a fight erupts with no parents to referee can they avoid getting physical? Can you be reached for help if an emergency does develop?

If 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 neighbor.

• Continue to monitor the arrangement.

More about home alone around the Web:

PFD: Latchkey Kids - Good tips on seeking out after-school programs and activities, and teaching kids responsibility.

When It's Just You After School - KidsHealth.org guide with advice on setting ground rules, related safety tips.

Living as a Latchkey Kid - Tips on finding alternatives to kids staying home alone.