• Decide with your child where he will keep the house key. A chain hung around his neck is reliable, and some backpacks have a built-in key chain or a clip in an inside pocket that works well for this purpose. Once you've decided, stick with that one place.



• Make sure that your child can unlock and lock the door, and that he knows which neighbor has a spare key to your house.



• Set up a routine for coming home. Instruct your child to lock the door behind her, then call you when he arrives home. If there is any sign that the house may have been broken into (door open, windows broken), then your child should go directly to the neighbor's.



• Make sure that your child knows where the list of important phone numbers is, and which ones to call first (you, a neighbor, 911). Set up rules for answering the telephone. Teach your child how to use the answering machine to screen the calls, and not to pick up unless the caller is someone he knows.



• Set up rules for snacks: Which appliances are OK to use? How about sharp knives? What are acceptable snacks?



• Set up rules for acceptable behavior. How many friends (if any) can come over? How much TV (if any) can he watch? Are any shows off limits? What chores need to be done? What are the rules regarding homework (e.g., no TV until all homework is done)?
  
  Be very specific-if your child is typical, he'll look for a loophole if he really wants to do something that's against the rules from time to time. To head off as much of this as possible, you and your child could work together to spell out the rules and write them in a "contract," which you both sign. Your child will appreciate being asked for his input, he's more likely to take the rules seriously, and he can't claim to have forgotten any of them



• Go over basic fire safety. Make sure he knows what to do if the smoke detector goes off and there is actually smoke (leave the house and call 911, then you). He also needs to know where the fire extinguisher is and how to use it.



• Go over basic first aid. The most important thing, of course, is that your child knows to call you. But for simple cuts or scratches, it's comforting to know where the bandages and antiseptic ointment are.



• Play the "what if" game. What if there was a power failure? What if someone knocked at the door? What if a friend asked him to come over? Think up a few of these hypothetical challenges. When your child can answer them all prudently, you'll both feel more confident.

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