Children at Home Alone

Each child is different. Some children are simply too young to be left home alone. Parents need to decide when their child is ready for this responsibility.

Parents should consider the wisdom of leaving any child, especially a child under the age of 10, home alone for any period of time.
Some children enjoy caring for themselves and happily accept the added responsibilities. Others occasionally are lonely, bored or scared. For all of them, however, the self-care experience is an opportunity for parents to discuss all aspects of safety and crime prevention, as well as build their children’s self-esteem, confidence and competence. Moreover, a close relationship with parents can decrease negative effects of self-care.

First, see how comfortable your child feels about being alone. Answer all their questions and help them understand what they may and may not do.

If this talk with your child leads to a decision for self-care... it is important to start out trying short periods of time only. 

Download these checklists to see if you and your child are ready for your child to stay home alone:    Parent Checklist      Child Checklist
  • This checklists is provided as a tool to help you decide whether you child is too young to be left home alone.
  • You and you child should complete the checklists separately. If there are differences in your answers, discuss them with your child.
  • Use the checklists as one factor in making your decision. It should be used as a guide only, not as the deciding factor.

If you decide your child is ready to stay home alone be sure to teach your children:

  • To memorize their name and address – including city and state.
  • To memorize their phone number, including area code.
  • To use both push button and dial telephone to make emergency calls and to reach the operator.
  • To check in with you or a neighbor immediately after arriving home.
  • To never go into your home if a door is open or a window is broken, and to know another safe place to go immediately.
  • How to work your home’s door and window locks and to lock them when they are at home alone.
  • Show your child 2 escape routes in case of fire. Practice them. Tell children where to go (mailbox, neighbor).
  • How to know when to answer the telephone and the door.
  • Not to go into anyone else’s home without your permission.
  • Never to go anywhere with another adult, even one who says you have sent him or her. Adopt a family code word to be used if you have to ask a third party to pick up your children.
  • To avoid walking or playing alone outside.
  • That a stranger is someone neither you nor they know well.
  • That if they feel they’re being followed, either on foot or by a car, to run to the nearest public place, neighbor, or safe house.
  • To tell you if anyone asks them to keep a secret, offers them gifts or money, or asks to take their picture.
  • To always tell you if something happened while they were away from home that made them feel uncomfortable in any way.
  • Your rules about inviting friends over.
  • Which kitchen appliances they may use & how to do so safely.

Use of the Telephone

The telephone is your child’s link to others while you are away; using it will make you both feel a lot better. Let your child know if your rule is to let the answering machine take all calls. Practice answering the phone, if your child is allowed to do so. Let your child find out who is calling, and explain to the caller that you are busy at the moment. Instruct your child not to say they are home alone, and to let you know who has been calling. Explain when and how to use 911. Be sure they know how to make emergency calls and how to reach the operator.

Download this Home Alone Phone List to write down important phone numbers that your child may need when they are home alone. 

This home alone guide was prepared by the Collation Of Parent Educators of Broome County, (CO.P.E.), who gratefully acknowledges the assistance and resources of the NYS Prevention Information Resource Ctr., the Div. of Criminal Justice Services, and School Age Connections.

For more information call: First Call for Help at 1-607-729-9100 or the NYS Prevention Information Resource Ctr. At 1-800-CHILDREN PERMISSION TO DUPLICATE AND REPRODUCE IS GRANTED