Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

04-28-2021

Are Your Kids Safe at Home Alone?

It's best for children to be supervised at all times, and states have laws prohibiting leaving young children alone. The laws about older children are different in different places, so it’s important to know the rule that applies where you are. Before leaving your upper elementary schooler at home alone for a short amount of time, remember to:

Consider his maturity. Even if he is legally old enough to be at home alone, is he ready to handle the situation responsibly?
Make sure he is secure. Let your child know that he is not to open the door (even to a friend) and never to tell a stranger on the phone that he is alone.
Set up definite rules, including some for what he should do while you are away.
Review who he should call in an emergency. Review other safety procedures, too, such as how to leave the home in case of fire and where to go.
Give your child a phone number where he can reach you.
Talk to your child about his concerns. Ask him what he dislikes most about being at home alone, and work out ways to make it less stressful.

For more information and things to consider before leaving children at home alone, visit the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services’ Administration for Children & Families website at www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/factsheets/homealone/.

Brought to you by:

Gwinnett County Public Schools