• Your child has a special place for house key (on chain hung around the neck, clipped inside a backpack pocket, etc.).



• Child can unlock and lock the door, and knows which neighbor has the spare key.



• Coming home routine set up; your child can demonstrate it to you.



• Your child knows where the list of important phone numbers is, and which ones to call first (you, a neighbor, 911).



• Rules for answering the telephone set up: Your child knows to use the answering machine to screen calls, and not to pick up unless the caller is someone he knows.



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



• Rules for acceptable behavior: Friends coming over? TV? Chores? Homework?



• Fire safety training: what to do if the smoke detector goes off and there is actually smoke.



• Your child knows where the fire extinguisher is, and how to use it.



• Basic first-aid training.

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