Summer is here, which means you have to make the decision of whether or not your child is old enough to stay at home alone, while you are working or running errands. According to experts, most kids are ready to stay home alone by the time they are 12 or 13 years old.

However, despite your child’s age, you are the only one who can determine if they are ready to stay at home, alone this summer. If you decide that this option will work for you and your family, you may want to use the security tips here, to provide yourself with a little more peace of mind.

Install Video Surveillance
If you don’t have a security system installed in your home, now is the time to consider this. Thanks to advances in technology, you can utilize high quality video systems that provide you with remote access. This allows you to see what is going on at all times, and you can even set up alerts if something unusual happens – such as a door or window opening, or movement outside your home.

Install a Smart Doorbell and Locks
Another feature to consider installing is a smart doorbell and smart locks. With a smart doorbell, you can remotely monitor who comes to your door. This allows you to answer – even if you aren’t there. As a result, your child won’t have to worry about handling this situation on their own.

Smart locks are also a smart feature. This allows you to lock or unlock the doors to your home, regardless of your location.

Talk to Your Kids
The best thing you can do is talk to your children about safety and security before they stay home alone. It may be a good idea to create some ground rules and ensure everyone is on the same page.

If your child is old enough to stay home alone, make sure to keep the information here in mind. Doing so will help ensure that they are safe and that you aren’t constantly worried about what is going on while you are away.