Creating a safety plan is imperative for every family, especially when kids get old enough to stay home by themselves. Make the house a safe place for your children, and set well-defined safety rules. This will allow your children to explore and enjoy their space while keeping accidents to a minimum.
Burn Prevention
If you have a young child, he may not yet know that touching a hot stove can burn him. To prevent your child from exploring hot and potentially dangerous areas of the house, make "no" zones for young children, recommends MayoClinic.com. Block off hot areas like stoves and fireplaces from your child, and clearly explain that he should not touch the oven, candles, stoves, or pots and pans. Make matches and lighters off limits as well. Unplug hot appliances, like curling irons and clothing irons, as soon as you use them to ensure that your child does not accidentally burn himself.
Internet Safety
If your child is old enough to use the Internet, establish ground rules before allowing her to explore freely on the web. Sit down with your child and create a list of approved websites that your child enjoys. Encouraging your child to explore these websites will help create a safe space on the Internet for her. Instruct your child never to give out any personal information, including the name of her school, her address, her name or her phone number, recommends KidsHealth.org.
Home Alone Rules
After your child has proved that he is responsible and old enough to stay home alone for a few hours, establish new rules. Make a schedule for your child to help him stay on track with his homework and other activities while you're out. Instruct your child not to answer the door or the telephone and to never tell anyone that he's home alone. Leave a list of emergency numbers, including the fire department, a trusted neighbor and a nearby family member. This will help both you and your child feel secure while he's staying at home by himself.
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