Home Alone?

 Area children have started back to school. With mom and dad both working, children these days take on more and more responsibility at an earlier age, including staying home alone. The number of latchkey children ages 14 and under in the United States has increased to a whopping 16 million, and the vast majority of unintentional injury-related deaths among children occurs in the evening hours when children are most likely to be out of school and unsupervised.  

 Many factors need to be considered before making the decision to leave your children home alone.

Children mature at different ages. What is right for one 10 year old may be life threatening for another. In the decision process, it is very important to evaluate your child�s individual development as well as physical capabilities.

 It is also important to remember that the decision to leave children unattended may be subject to state law. Area child protection services can provide information on state abuse and neglect laws that address the age questions that children can legally be left by themselves. Minimum age requirements range from 12 to 13 years of age. Most professionals recommend that children are not left alone before the age of 12.

 It is also a good idea to begin leaving children home alone progressively�for only a short period of time, at first, where you are close by in case there or any questions or problems. Remember, more than 3 million children under the age of 14 get hurt at home and more than 2,000 of them die from unintentional injuries. The top leading causes of unintentional home injury deaths include fire, suffocation, drowning, choking, firearm and poisoning. 

   The National SAFE KIDS Campaign recommends parents and caregivers follow these safety tips to insure a child's safety at home.

• Place all emergency numbers (doctor, hospital, police, fire department, poison control, EMS) and the telephone numbers of a friend or neighbor in a visible place near all phones.

• Point out potential hazards in your home such as electrical appliances and heating equipment and teach your child how to avoid injuries from them.

• Make sure your child knows where the smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are located and knows your fire escape plan. Remind the child to get out of the house immediately if either alarm goes off. Also remind them that they can call the fire department from a neighbor�s house.

• Plan and practice two escape routes out of the house and each room. It is important to have an alternate route in case one is blocked by fire. October 7-13 is National Fire Prevention Week. Check with your local fire department for information and special events planned. 

• Insist your child wear the proper safety gear while cycling, in-line skating or skateboarding and that they always wear a helmet for these activities. Bicycle helmets have been shown to reduce the risk of a head injury by as much as 85 percent and brain injury by as much as 88 percent.

• Show your child the first aid kit and how to use the items in it.

• Prepare a snack or meal for your child in advance, preferably one that does not have to be heated. It is safer if they do not use the stove at any time.

• Tell your child where you will be, how you can be reached and when you are planning to return home. Always call if you are running late. IF POSSIBLE, LEAVE A CELL NUMBER. Knowing your child can reach you in an instant will help put you and your child more at ease.

For more information about how to childproof your home, please visit The National SAFE KIDS Campaign website at www.safekids.org The national SAFE KIDS Campaign is the first and only national organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional childhood injury.� the number one killer of children ages 14 and under. There are more 280 State and Local SAFE KIDS Coalitions in all 50 states, the District

Until next month, happy parenting!