Step One - Preparing the Child
There are a number of things a parent should do before they leave their child at home alone.

• Show their child how to use the house key, then tell the child never to show their key to anyone. Explain that the house key is to be hidden at all times inside a shirt, a shoe or gym bag.
• Tell the child not to panic if their house key becomes lost. Let him or her know which neighbour has a spare key, and if the neighbour is not home the child is to call the parent.
• Let the child know he or she must not enter the home if a door is open, a window is broken, or a ladder is leading to an upstairs window. Tell the child where to go for help if this occurs.
• Explain that the child should lock the door as soon as he or she enters the house.
• Once inside, have the child call a contact person, either a parent, relative, neighbour, or local latch-key service. There are many latchkey programs around the country which generally operate as a telephone service that children can call whenever they are lonely, frightened, or just want someone to talk to. Local Resource and Referral agencies and Social Service offices will have more information on the types of services available.
• Tell the child never to open the door to strangers, including repair people, meter readers, sales or delivery people. Never let anyone in to use the phone. If there is a knock at the door the child may either sit quietly until the person leaves, or answer the call by talking through the locked door.
• Explain to the child that he or she must never tell anyone on the phone that they are alone. They can say Mom or Dad is busy, then ask to take a message.
• Post by the telephone, the number for the parents' jobs, police and fire department, ambulance, and the contact person.
• Go over fire and emergency procedures. Show the child where to find the first aid kit. Explain why, under no circumstances, is he or she to go back inside a burning building.
• Leave a few notes around the house to remind the child of chores that need doing, that suggest reading or writing activities that will help to pass the time, or just to say "I love you!"

Step Two - Preparing the Parent
No parent wants to leave their child without proper supervision, not even if their child has demonstrated he or she is mature enough to handle the job. There may come a time however, when there is simply no other option. How does a parent prepare him or herself for such an arrangement?

• The first thing a parent should do is make certain he or she is emotionally ready to handle the added stress that comes with worrying about things at home.
• Parents should work out the details of the self-care to a point where the parent and the child knows without hesitation, what to do in an emergency, if the house is broken into, if a key is lost or if a child becomes frightened.
• Enroll the child in a babysitting and first aid course. Many community centers and Boards of Education offer these programs.
• Consider getting the child a dog, both for company and for security.
• Set aside some time each week to evaluate the care and to discuss with the child his or her feelings about being alone, as well as any problems that may have occurred.

Step Three - Adult Supervision
If a child wants to be - or by way of circumstances must be responsible for self-care, the care should include some form of adult supervision. This could be a neighbour who stops by at a different time each day to check on things, or it could include a variety of after-school programs such as those offered by local community centers, YMCA, or Boys and Girls Clubs. These few tips may help both parents and children adjust to self-care. Too many problems may be a sign the child is not yet able to look after him or herself and other arrangements will have to be made.