When School’s Out, Safety’s In: A Guide to a Smart, Safe Summer at Home
BY MADISON VOORHIES PHOTO BY KLEINPETER PHOTOGRAPHY 2024–25 COVER KID ERIN W. S chool’s out, the sun is high, and your kids are plotting the ultimate sum- mer break. But between snack raids,
up. These mini practice sessions are like training wheels for solo time. 2. BUILD A SAFETY PLAN TOGETHER No child should be home alone without a solid safety plan in place. Don’t just lecture—collaborate. Sit down and walk through “what-ifs” like: ■Where are your boundaries if you want to play outside? ■What if someone rings the doorbell? ■What if there’s a storm or power outage? ■What if you get hurt or scared? Post a list of emergency numbers (yours, a trusted neighbor’s, and 911) on the fridge or anywhere your child will clearly have it in view (bonus points if you still have a landline!). Create a “check-in” schedule,
child is ready to stay home alone? Louisiana doesn’t have a legal minimum age, but most experts
agree that kids younger than 10 years old aren’t developmentally prepared to handle emergencies on their own. But age isn’t the only factor; it’s about maturity, not just milestones. Ask yourself: ■Do they follow rules without reminders? ■Can they handle basic tasks like locking the doors and answering the phone appropriately? ■Would they know what to do in an emergency? If you’re unsure, do a few “test runs.” Try leaving them home alone for 30 minutes while you run errands and gradually build
screen time negotiations, and the lure of doing exactly what they’re not supposed to, summer break can raise big questions… especially when the kids are home alone. If your child is in that in-between stage (old enough to stay home for a few hours but still learning the ropes of responsibil- ity), you’re not alone. More families now than ever are navigating this tricky terrain. The good news? With the right approach, summer can become a time for kids to build confidence, grow independence, and earn your trust, without burning the house down! 1. KNOW WHEN THEY'RE READY First things first: How do you know if your
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