On April 24, 2018 Letcher County 4-H Partnered with multiple agencies across the county to have Safety Day for 2nd grade. The event was held at the Letcher County Extension Office. 

Safety Day was an awesome event that took 21 volunteers to make this event possible. Letcher County 4-H was so pleased to have such amazing volunteers from around the county that took time-out to show the 2nd grade of our county about safety on many different levels. We would like to thank the following: Neon Ambulance Service, Letcher Ambulance Service, Sandlick Volunteer Fire Department, Whitesburg Fire Department, Letcher County Search & Rescue, Kentucky State Police, Whitesburg City Police Department, WINGS, Civil Service, and Letcher County Sheriff’s Department. The 2nd grade of our county gained knowledge that will help in a time of need.

At some time during your child’s elementary or middle school experience, you may consider having them care for themselves before or after school, while you run errands, do farm chores, or attend a community event. Self-care can be a very rewarding experience, if your child is ready for it. It can help them develop independence, responsibility and gain confidence. Self-care can also be frightening and potentially dangerous, especially if the child is not yet ready to stay home alone.

Safety Day at the Letcher County Cooperative Extension Service along with a great curriculum that 4-H uses helps to prepare our youth for self-care.

There is no one age at which a child is ready for self-care. However, Code Name: Home Alone is a program that will help you determine if your child is ready for the responsibility. The Code Name: Home Alone program will provide a vehicle for you to discuss self-care and insure that your child has the skills necessary to remain safe and secure.

Code Name: Home Alone is a series of lessons that your child will be learning at the Letcher County Cooperative Extension Service. These lessons will cover topics related to your child and being home alone such as fear and boredom, rules and responsibilities, computer and internet security, emergency procedures, kitchen skills and how to be safe at home when home alone. There will be take-home activities for you and your child to do together which will help determine the readiness and skill level of your child for self-care and being home alone.

Letting your child stay home alone for the first time can be a daunting decision. Code Name: Home Alone can make this process easier.