Delaware
School is closing for the summer. Is your child ready to stay home alone?
How to prep your yard for the summer
Get your yard ready for some summer fun!
Problem Solved
Memorial Day has passed, and the end of the school year is right around the corner.
Kids will be home for the summer, leaving parents with the question: Can they be home alone?
It’s tricky for any parent, but here’s some help to make a decision.
How old does a child have to be to stay home alone in Delaware?
There is no law in Delaware regulating an appropriate age for a child to be left home alone, according to Delaware’s Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families.
When can a child stay home alone?
The American Academy of Pediatrics’ website says most child experts agree that around 11 or 12 is an appropriate age for a child to stay home alone. Here are some things to consider when making the decision.
- Maturity level and safety: Is your child mature enough to handle being home alone and able to handle themselves if something happens, like a power outage or an emergency, like a fire or gas leak?
- Trust level: Do you trust your children to think before they act? This is important for teens who may be tempted to experiment with illegal activities. Think about how your child responds to peer pressure. Also, can you trust your child to follow the rules of the house?
- Common sense: Will your child make sound judgments? If your child grabbed the milk and it smelled sour or was curdled, would they throw it out or drink it?
- Keeping busy: Outside of video games and television, can your child stay busy with other hobbies or interests while you are out?
- Comfort level: How do you feel about leaving your child home alone? Talk to your child about the possibility and realize you know your child the best.
What to do before a child stays home alone
Once you decide to let your child stay home alone, here are ways to prepare.
Emergency plan
- Make a list of cellphone numbers, workplace numbers and how to reach family members and your pediatrician. Post them in a visible location.
- Have a first-aid kit available for minor injuries and teach your child how to use all of the supplies in the kit
- Show your child where the batteries, flashlights or other emergency supplies are in case something happens.
- If you have an alarm system, ensure your child knows how to turn it on and off.
- Make sure your child knows how and when to call 911.
- Go over the emergency exit plan. Ensure your child knows what to do if there is a fire or gas leak.
Establish the ground rules
- Are friends allowed in the house while the child is home alone?
- Is the child allowed to cook and what foods are off-limits?
- Can the child answer the phone or the door while you are out?
- What should the child do with your dog or cat while you are gone?
DELAWARE COUNTY, Ind. — All lanes closed on I-69 in the southbound direction in Delaware County on Friday morning.
Authorities with the Indiana State Police were dispatched to the 240.5 mile marker on a report of a crash involving a semi at approximately 8:08 a.m.
All lanes are now open.
Pennrose and JPMorganChase help neighborhoods – and residents – thrive.
Finding an affordable place to live continues to be a challenge for many as widespread housing shortages persist across the U.S. Rising home prices and high interest rates have made homeownership inaccessible for a large portion of the population. Meanwhile, as rental demand increases, the number of renters facing affordability challenges is also on the rise.
The State of the Nation’s Housing 2025 by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies reveals that cost burdens for renters reached another record high in 2023. Similarly, the JPMorganChase Institute reports that renter affordability is declining and forcing people to devote more of their take-home pay to housing costs. There is a growing need for affordable housing across the U.S., and that rings true here in Wilmington.
To close that gap, it’s essential that all Wilmington residents share in its growth with housing options that accommodate a range of needs and budgets. For the Pennrose real estate firm, this meant delivering a concrete solution to the local community, resulting in housing for individuals and families who otherwise might not have been able to live in the area.
Reinvesting in Wilmington’s Riverside
In Wilmington, the Riverside redevelopment initiative is focused on neighborhood stability at a scale that can be felt across generations – bringing housing, education and community resources together so families can remain rooted and move forward. Imani Village, developed by Pennrose in partnership with the Wilmington Housing Authority and nonprofit community organization REACH Riverside and constructed with support from JPMorganChase, is part of this broader effort, which is expected to create more than 600 high-quality, mixed-income homes while also enhancing and expanding EastSide Charter School and Kingswood Community Center to help establish a “cradle to college/career readiness education pipeline.”
By tying new housing to strengthened local institutions, the redevelopment aims to reduce the pressure that forces families to relocate and instead keep children closer to school, neighbors closer to one another and residents connected to the services that help them thrive. In practical terms, Imani Village represents not just additional homes, but a commitment to building a neighborhood where opportunity is easier to access and easier to keep.
“We’re proud of the far-reaching impact this project will have. It reflects Pennrose’s mission to uplift our communities and expand the supply of high-quality, affordable homes,” said Brett Macleod, Community Development Banking, J.P. Morgan. “Every additional housing unit matters – and increasing the number that are affordable is critical.”
A broader commitment to Wilmington’s future
While Imani Village is foundational, the vibrancy of a community depends on much more. In Delaware, the firm provides banking services to 215,000 customers and works across sectors to expand economic opportunity. Over the last five years, JPMorganChase has invested more than $25 million in local nonprofit organizations, supported 25,000 small business clients and delivered financial health education to thousands of residents to broaden access to banking, financial health resources, homeownership and other wealth-building tools.
“As we work with local stakeholders to expand housing options, JPMorganChase’s goal is to create inclusive economic opportunity for all,” said Don Mell, Location Management, Americas East Region Lead and member of the Delaware & Philadelphia Market Leadership Team at JPMorganChase. “When our communities thrive, we all thrive.”
Learn more about affordable housing and community development at jpmorgan.com/commercial-real-estate.
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