At home, when a child is beginning to spend short periods without an adult, this home alone safety checklist gives families a clear starting point for conversations and practice. It is designed for parents, carers and family support workers helping children, older kids or young teenagers prepare to stay home alone safely and confidently.
Independent home safety is the central theme of this 10-point poster for children who may be left at home alone. It covers how to contact a parent or carer, what to do if they do not answer, keeping a phone charged, and knowing the home address and key telephone numbers.
Emergency planning is addressed directly, including when and how to call 999, what information to give, and how to respond to a fire. Children are reminded to leave the property, stay outside and call for help if they see or smell smoke, rather than returning for possessions.
Practical personal-safety scenarios include answering the door, dealing with unexpected noises, feeling unwell, a power cut, getting hurt or something breaking. The poster also prompts adults to agree clear household rules about cooking, appliances, going outside, visitors and other activities that may be off limits.
Parents, foster carers, kinship carers and social workers can print the sheet as a home alone rules poster, then talk through each point with a child or young teen. It also encourages families to identify trusted adults, agree where the adult will be, set a return time, and reassure children that asking for help will not get them into trouble.
