Reply to What age can child be home alone for an hour?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I tell this story anytime I see a thread on this topic. Several years ago in our town a mother ran out to get something from the grocery store less than 5 minutes away. Her 10 and 12 year old were home alone and made some toast. The toaster caught on fire, the boys called their mother who rushed home and called 911. In that time period the entire house became engulfed in flames, the boys ran upstairs for whatever reason and couldn't escape. They both died. I will never not think of this - and while we constantly review with DS what to do in this situation - call 911, go outside, jump from the second floor if you have to, don't use the toaster, here is our fire extinguisher, we have a family emergency plan, etc. - no trip to the store is worth it for me because you never know how someone will behave in an emergency until it happens. DS is about to be 11 and will be taking the Red Cross Babysitter Certification as part of the steps for when we will leave him at home. Regardless it won't be until at least 12 and even though it's not the most convenient for us, I can handle waiting a little longer. [/quote]

I have a similar story from my country of origin. Kids were 12 and 10. They were badly burned in a house fire. I was very young abd cannot remember if they survived.

I put food on the counter and tell my kids not to do anything besides watch TV and use the bathroom if I leave for an hour. They are not even allowed to use microwave. And I have them on video call the entire time.

I [/quote]

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