- Emergency Contacts: Post a list with 9-1-1, parents' numbers, trusted neighbors, and other emergency contacts.
- Emergency Plan: Practice fire, injury, and other emergency responses with your child. Keep a written plan in an easy-to-find place.
- Flashlights & Batteries: Ensure your child knows where they are and how to use them.
- Secure Dangerous Items: Lock away weapons, tools, sharp objects, and hazardous materials like cleaning supplies and medications.
- Electrical & Fire Safety:
- Install safety covers on unused outlets.
- Limit cooking for young children and ensure smoke alarms are working on all levels of the home.
- Digital Safety:
- Download the Red Cross First Aid App on their device for emergency guidance.
- Teach kids not to share that they’re home alone on social media or chat rooms.
- Screen Time: Set limits on TV and computer use.
Home Alone Safety
Is Your Child Ready to Stay Home Alone?
Before leaving a child home alone, parents should assess their maturity, responsibility, and comfort level. If a child is not ready, consider alternatives such as after-school programs, youth clubs, or sports activities.
Age is only one of the factors generally considered in assessing adequate care and supervision. Canadian social services organizations advise that children under 12 years should not be left at home alone. Children under the age of 12 are rarely mature enough to cope in an emergency and should not be left at home alone for a long period of time. Children under the age of 16 should not be left alone overnight.
Every child is different, so it’s important to ensure they feel safe and prepared before making this decision.
Organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross offer Stay Safe courses designed to help your child build confidence and essential life skills. Consider enrolling your child in a program such as this that teaches them how to stay safe when home alone or out in the community and provide your child with the knowledge they need to make smart, safe decisions when away from parents or guardians.
If your child will be home alone after school, or at other times, it is important to establish check-in routines and clear rules regarding visitors, cooking, and leaving the house.
By setting clear expectations and preparing for emergencies, parents can help ensure their child’s safety and confidence when home alone.
Safety Steps to Follow if Children are Home Alone
Caregivers and parents should teach children these essential safety steps and post them somewhere visible at home:
- Keep Doors Locked: If the home has a security system, children should know how to use it.
- Never Open the Door to Strangers: Always check through a peephole or window before answering.
- Avoid Letting in Delivery or Service Workers: Ask them to leave packages at the door. Service visits should only happen when an adult is home.
- Be Cautious on the Phone: Never say parents aren’t home. Instead, say, “They’re busy right now. Can I take a message?”
- Stay Safe Online: Never share that you're home alone on social media or chat rooms.
- Get Permission Before Leaving: Always inform parents of your whereabouts and check in when returning.
- Stay Inside if Something Feels Unsafe: Do not investigate strange noises—call a parent, trusted adult, or the police.
- No Visitors Without Permission: Friends should only come over with parental approval, and no one using drugs or alcohol should be let inside.
- Fire Safety: If you see smoke or hear an alarm, leave immediately and ask a neighbor to call 9-1-1.
By following these guidelines, kids can stay safe and make smart decisions when home alone.