Are your Kids Safe Home Alone?
While a family leaving on a European vacation without one of their children only happens in the movies, there are still considerations when it comes to leaving children home alone. Some children will be ready for the independence earlier than others. Some may never be comfortable with it. But whatever you decide is best for your children, keep these tips in mind to help keep an eye on them and make them feel safe and secure.
Making it Easy on Them
There is a lot to remember when you’re home alone so parents should do what they can to make it easier on the kids. Some things to consider:
- If the child is coming home after school to an empty house, have keyless entry on one or more doors. They just enter a code to unlock the door. They don’t have to carry a key and you don’t have to keep one “hidden” somewhere. You can set up alerts for when the door has been opened so you know they made it home safely.
- For kids who are staying home in the evening, put your outside lights on a timer. A dark house looks empty and may be a target for criminals. Kids may forget to turn on the outside lights so having a timer makes the house look occupied.
- Set their expectations. Let them know where you will be, what time you should be home and what to do if they need something. Having a trusted neighbor that they can call if needed is a big help too.
Staying in Touch
Being able to see and talk to your kids is a big help. It’s good for your peace of mind and for their comfort level.
- If the kids don’t have their own cell phone, be sure there is a way for them to reach you or 911 in the event of an emergency. If you do not have a home phone, consider having a cell phone that stays at the house all the time and is always charged.
- Add a video doorbell to your home. You can see when the kids get home and also see and talk to anyone who might come to the door. That way, it doesn’t look like the children are there by themselves and they don’t have to worry about answering the door.
- Check your cameras. If you have a camera system, keep them pulled up on your phone to keep an eye on things when you aren’t home. There are also indoor cameras that have audio built-in that you can use to speak to your kids if needed.
Setting the Rules
Staying home alone is a big responsibility. It is important that you discuss the rules ahead of time and that the child agrees to follow them. Make sure they understand the rules are about keeping them safe and productive. Some things to think about when establishing a home alone plan are:
- Eating – can the child use the oven, stove or microwave when you are not there? Can they order food and if so, what do they do to ensure they are safe when the delivery person arrives?
- Company – can friends come over and stay when you aren’t there? Is there a limit on how many friends can be there or restriction on friends of the opposite sex?
- Answering the door – if you don’t have a video doorbell, what are the rules about answering the door? Plan ahead with your child and role play if needed. It is always better to give the impression that someone is home, but you don’t want a stranger to know the children are there alone.
- Screen time – just because you’re not there doesn’t mean screen time rules go out the window. If your family has time limits on television, video games or other devices, make sure the kids know this still applies when they are home alone.
The most important part of staying home alone is being prepared for the unexpected. Be sure to talk to the kids about what to do in an emergency, including who to call and where to go. They need to know what to do if the alarm or smoke detectors go off. And have a plan for them if the weather is really bad or if there is a power outage.
We Can Help
Give yourself peace of mind with an alarm, door locks, light timers and cameras. Call Cultris Security today at 281-506-8466 or visit us online.
