Leaving Your Kids Home Alone, When Is It Ok?

The pandemic has raised new causes of worry for parents. Besides that, unexpected business meetings, terrible weather conditions, and failed childcare arrangements would warrant a parent to consider leaving kids home alone. But when can parents feel their children are prepared to be left at home without parental supervision?

First, Know The Law

Find out what is lawful in your state to avoid getting called on for neglect or abandonment. FindLaw noted only a few states specify a legal age to leave kids home alone. In Illinois, children below 14 years old cannot be left alone, but 8-year-old children and above can be left home alone in Maryland.

What most states do have in common are guidelines that test the child's abilities to be left home alone. Child protective services, as well as the Department of Health and Human Services, may consider:

• The age of the child
• The age and number of other kids left home alone
• The maturity of the child and ability to make responsible decisions
• The child's ability to follow directions and work independently
• Plans for how the child will cope with strangers and emergencies like fires, wounds, etc. (CPR, first aid, calling 911)
• The overall safety of the child's surroundings
• The length of time kids are left home alone
• Whether or not the child feels "safe" or comfortable to stay home alone
• Other arrangements made to keep the child safe: Neighbors checking in, etc.

Experts Advice on When Is It Okay to Leave Kids Home Alone?

Principal researcher at Murdoch Children's Research Institute and executive director Julie Green suggest using parental judgment to determine a child's readiness to be left home alone. But, Green forewarned, "Parents are still responsible for their child's safety even if they think it is OK to leave the child home alone."

A former teacher and clinical psychologist, Judith Locke, also noted that there is no magical age when kids can be left home alone, saying, "they could be 17 and not be mature enough or ready to be left home alone."

Setting Rules for When Your Child is Left Home Alone

Parents can be confident in a child that follows the safety rules. Essential rules include:

• The child should know phone numbers to call in case of emergency.

• The child should know what activities he can do independently and off-limits, such as getting in the pool or turning on the stove.

• Have a practice run for what kids can do in different emergencies.

• Do a test for what kids will do when someone comes at the door.

• Siblings should stay together.

• Children should not go outside.

• Childproof all the rooms.

• Set rules on having friends come over.

A child left home alone can teach independence and problem-solving. Regardless of the child's maturity level, it is vital to make home-alone trials such as leaving the child for 30 minutes alone at home before the big day, Kids Health noted.

Further, consider the period the child is left alone. Generally, children 7 and under should not be left unattended. Children ages 8 to 10 who are ready to be left alone should not be left for longer than 1.5 hours. Ages 11 to 12 kids could be left at home for up to 3 hours. However, kids should not be left alone at night. Even teens ages 13 to 15 should not be left unsupervised overnight.