Tips: Is Your Child Ready To Stay Home Alone?
June 7, 2000
Now that school is out for most Utah kids for the summer, parents may be asking how can they tell if their child is old enough to leave home alone.
All this month, we are bringing you a series of special Family Now reports on
"What Is the Right Age?"
Today, News Specialist Ruth Todd asks the question "What is the Right Age to leave a child home alone without a babysitter?"
Most Utah children get the summer off from school.
But most Utah parents don't have the summer off from work, and that may leave them wondering if their children are old enough to leave home.
Experts say there are many qualities you should look for in your children to make sure they are ready to stay home alone.
Now that Matthew Bray is mature enough, he doesn't need someone to watch him before his parents get home from work at night.
But before his parents would leave him home alone, they made sure he was responsible enough to handle it.
Chris Bray: "WE KIND OF DID TRIAL RUNS, LITTLE PILOTS PROJECTS. OR TRIAL RUNS WITH HIM. SO THAT I WAS REALLY SURE THAT HE COULD HANDLE BEING HOME BY HIMSELF AND THAT HE KNEW EMERGENCY NUMBERS."
Matthew is 10.
But there is no magic age at which a child is ready to stay home alone.
Experts say a child should have certain skills before they don't need a sitter.
Guidelines from the Child Care Resource and Referral network say a child should know how to use small appliances, like the microwave.
They should know where they can go for help.
And they should also know how to use the phone, to call mom or dad, or call 911.
Matthew Bray: "I KNOW ALL THE EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND I THINK I'M OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW IF THERE'S A PROBLEM IN THE HOUSE. I KNOW WHAT TO DO."
Chris Bray: "WHAT TO DO IF THE DOOR'S WIDE OPEN. DO YOU COME IN THE HOUSE? WHEN DO YOU CALL 911? WHEN DO YOU GO TO THE NEIGHBORS?"
Parents can also look for a few clues to know if their child isn't ready.
Chris Bray: "IF HE WAS SCARED, I WOULDN'T DO IT. I'D HAVE A NEIGHBOR COME OVER OR ELSE I'D HAVE HIM GO TO A DAY CARE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT."
During the summer Matthew will be attending an all-day summer camp.
His five-year-old sister Emilee spends her days at a home-based daycare in the neighborhood.
