How old is old enough for a child to be left alone? As a parent you are the only one who can make that decision. However, be cautious of leaving children under 12 years of age alone. Assess their emotional, physical, and problem solving maturity.

Prepare Your Child Ahead of Time
1. Teach your child how to use the key, lock all doors and windows from the inside, and safely store the key.
2. Teach the child how to get out of the house in an emergency like a fire.
3. Teach the child how to use the 911 system (dial 911, give address and name and nature of problem in that order).
4. Role-play possible situations with the child. Ask the child what he/she would do if the popcorn in the microwave oven catches fire, the phone is dead, the power goes off, or they lose their key, etc.

Establish House Rules Ahead of Time
1. Have specific time established for the child to call you and check in. If child doesn’t check in or answer phone, then your child may be too young to stay alone.
2. Establish boundaries like whether the child is allowed to play outdoors, where the child can go, etc.
3. Set appropriate rules about visitors. Decide which friends can come over and for how long.
4. Decide which appliances the child is allowed to use unsupervised---and make sure the child knows safe and appropriate usage. The microwave is any easy-to-use and convenient appliance, but many kids do not realize that microwaved food can burn them.
5. Set firm guidelines for snacks, TV and the Internet.

Explain about the "Bad Guys" Out There
1. Teach your child why he/she should never open the door to strangers. Teach the child to use the door peephole and go over a list of people who can be admitted.
2. Tell your child to never tell anyone who calls on the phone about being home alone.
3. Instruct your child to hang up and call you or a backup person if he/she gets a crank or obscene or frightening phone call.
(This information courtesy www.parentkidsright.com)