Teens are old enough to stay home alone, but may not know all the basic safety rules that are necessary while you are away. Going over some basics will ensure your child is safe while they are home alone and give you peace of mind while you take care of errands and appointments. These five things are important for every child to learn before they are allowed to stay home without their parents for the first time.
1. Who to Call in An Emergency
Kids who are old enough to stay home alone should know where to find the emergency contact list and who to call when they need help. Make sure that your young one is old enough to know the difference between a minor, manageable situation and a true emergency before leaving them alone for the first time.
2. The House Rules
Go over the basic rules that you would like followed while your kids are home alone. For example, will your child be allowed to go outside, or should they do homework until you return? Clear ground rules ensure your child knows what is expected during their time alone.
3. How to Set The Home Security System
Every child should know how to set the home security system. Make sure that your child knows how to tell if the alarm is set and remembers the pass code before leaving them home alone. If you don’t have a home security system, now is the time to contact a Fort Collins CO home security system professional.
4. How to Handle Visitors and Calls
A child who is home alone for the first time may not know what to say when someone knocks on the door or calls your home. It is wise to have children say that you aren’t available when a stranger calls to ensure no one knows that the child is alone. You may also wish to restrict answering the door if your child isn’t sure they are comfortable talking to strangers while you are away.
5. What to Do In Different Situations
You can teach your child how to react in different types of situations by role playing. Knock on the door and tell your child how to react, call the home, or pretend the fire alarm has been triggered to teach your child what to do in different situations. Role playing is one of the most effective ways to teach kids how to stay safe while home alone.
