School’s out: Have a safe summer
Written by Dean Sparks | | news@toledofreepress.comSchool is out for the children around Lucas County, and one can hear the collective cheers and shouts as kids look forward to a summer of fun and freedom.
At the same time, the end of the school year can be a worrisome time for parents. When school is in session, parents know their kids are safe and cared for during the school day, and in the hours after class for kids using the many fine after-school programs across our community.
When school ends, parents may find themselves scrambling for appropriate care for their children during the workday — especially for adolescents and young teens who might balk at the idea of having a babysitter.
Letting them stay home alone or with younger brothers and sisters can be a tempting option — both to you, as a parent, and to some children, who might think they’re ready to take on the world. But before you walk out the door and leave them to their own devices, there are few things to keep in mind.
Ohio doesn’t specify how old a child must be to be left home alone. Much depends on the child’s level of maturity and responsibility. Some preteens may be mature enough to be left home alone for a few hours, while some older teens can’t resist getting into trouble while their parents are away. Other children might be comfortable alone on their own but aren’t ready to handle the responsibility of caring for younger brothers or sisters.
Before making a decision on whether to leave your children home alone, ask yourself three questions: Are they physically capable of caring for themselves and/or other kids? Are they intellectually able to handle the demands of being on their own? Are they socially or emotionally ready to be alone for several hours at a time?
Obviously, young children should never be left home alone. But would your 10-, 11- or 12-year-old know what to do and be physically able to respond to an emergency? Does he or she know how to call 911? How to lock the doors and windows? Use basic household appliances, like a microwave, toaster oven or can opener? If your child has difficulty with any of these tasks, then he/she may not be ready to be left home alone.
A child staying home alone should have the intellectual maturity to understand and describe your house rules or safety procedures. The child should be able to give and follow directions and both read and write a message. You should be confident in your child’s ability to solve basic problems and make good decisions — even if that decision is calling you for more direction or reaching out to a trusted neighbor. Make sure you’ve established those relationships with neighbors that the child can call ahead of time and that your child knows how to reach you. Knowing whether or not to open the door to a stranger, or what information to give out to an unknown phone caller, will make all the difference in your child’s safety.
While many children will bravely say they want to be left home alone, once you’re gone, they may feel differently. The sounds of wind rattling a window, or a thunderstorm, can turn an empty home into a scary place for some kids. Make sure your child feels good about being left home alone. Make sure they’re confident in their ability to take care of themselves and comfortable with not having anyone to talk to. The Internet, television and video games are not necessarily their best companions. Agree up front with your child on the rules for these activities, or whether your child can play outside when you’re not around.
Again, there is no magic age at which your child can safely stay home alone. Perhaps the most important thing parents can do is to keep the lines of communication open. Parents should know where their kids are, what they are doing and who they are with at all times. Above all, make sure they know that they can always talk to you about what went on during their day.
Dean Sparks is Lucas County Children Services executive director.
