LATCH KEY KIDS   Every day all over America children arrive home from school to an empty house. Every week thousands of parents make the decisions to leave children home alone while they go to work, run errands, or for social engagements. These children are labeled “latch key children” referring to the house or apartment key strung visibly around their neck.   In determining readiness the biggest trap for parents is going by age rather than maturity which varies with individual children. A general rule is never leave a child under the age of eight alone, and preferably, the child should be older than 11.   Parents also need to be aware that if a child under  a certain age is left alone and comes to harm, the parents could be charged with criminal neglect.   PHONE FRIEND FOR LATCH KEY CHILDREN                          954-523-1222