Is your child ready to be home alone?

What is the appropriate age for a child to be home alone? The Durham Children’s Aid Society (DCAS) and Durham Regional Police (DRP) advise parents to assess children individually to decide if they are ready, using these DCAS age guidelines:

What is the appropriate age for a child to be home alone? The Durham Children’s Aid Society (DCAS) and Durham Regional Police (DRP) advise parents to assess children individually to decide if they are ready, using these DCAS age guidelines:

• Children under 10 should never be left unsupervised.
• Ten to 12-year-olds may be left alone for one to two hours if an adult agrees to look in on the child during specified periods of time. Indirect supervision via telephone contact is generally unacceptable.
• 13 to 14-year-olds can be left for two to five hours with indirect supervision.
“The maturity of the child has to be taken into consideration,” says Sgt. Paul McCurbin, Media Relations Officer, DRP. “In some cases, a mature 10-year-old may be responsible enough to be alone for a few hours before or after school.”
Before deciding, ask yourself these questions:
• Is your child dependable?
• Could you rely on them to tell the truth?
• Do they have common sense?
• Would they deal with unexpected situations in a positive manner?
• Do they require constant supervision?

Then speak to your child. They may appear mature, but the thought of being home alone could be quite frightening to them. Self-care may not be wise for children who express such fears. Acclimatizing a child to the idea of being alone can be effective when preparing a child for self-care. “Practice leaving the child at home alone for 45 minutes to an hour to introduce them to the concept. If the child is comfortable with this, then allowing them to stay home after school for two hours will not be as difficult,” suggests Sgt. McCurbin
Sgt. McCurbin also suggests parents use a “common-sense” approach to help avoid potentially dangerous situations for their child. “Prepare meals, iron clothes and keep the house at a comfortable temperature.

This will reduce the need for children to operate dangerous appliances or open windows or back doors for air circulation.” Further tips include:
• Have your child call you when they arrive home;
• Recruit a neighbour to serve as an emergency contact;
• Leave easy-to-prepare meals and snacks to avoid use of appliances or sharp utensils;
• Keep doors and windows closed and locked;
• Teach your child how to work the alarm system;
• Post emergency numbers by the phone
• Instruct your child to never answer the phone or door;
• Have a special phone ring that your child can identify and teach them how to retrieve messages;
• Never allow other children in the home
• Instruct your child to go to a neighbour’s home if there are signs of forced entry;
• Have timers set to turn on lights so your child does not come home to a dark house;
• Ensure smoke and carbon dioxide detectors are working and your child knows an escape plan;
• Set firm rules to deter your child from accessing internet or viewing inappropriate television
• Instruct your child not to let others know they are home alone
• Lock up alcohol, medicines and toxic substances

Between the ages of 10 and 16, it is important for children to keep busy and participate in supervised activities. For the few hours you are not home, call them to make sure they are okay and encourage them to start on homework or assign some simple chores. Discuss with them what to do when they feel lonely or afraid and be prepared to have a back-up plan if your child is not coping. Involving them in the decision may make them feel more mature and give them the confidence to be home alone.

Safety guidelines for walking alone
For those children who will be making the walk to and from school for the first time, here are some general rules to follow:
• Arrange for your child to have a buddy or another parent to walk with;
• Trust your instincts about people;
• Tell them to inform you and the school if a stranger approaches them;
• Remind them adults never ask children for directions;
• Let you know when they change plans;
• Never take short cuts or walk alone
• Avoid wearing headphones so they are aware of their surroundings and won’t become a target for being robbed or “swarmed”;
• Walking unaccompanied is not advised for children under 10.