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Colorado
12
Connecticut
12
Mississippi
12
Kentucky
11
South Dakota
10
Tennessee
10
Washington
10
Georgia
9
Nebraska
7
Oklahoma
7
Kansas
6

Age a Child can be Left Home Alone by State 2024

Age a Child can be Left Home Alone by State 2024

Generally, children must live with their parents or guardians until they can function in society independently. Therefore, they must always also be under the supervision of their parents or guardians, especially at home. However, when is the perfect time to leave a child alone in the house? State leaders around the country have been debating this topic for years, and many still do not have steady ground to base this decision on. For the time being, here are the laws surrounding leaving children alone at home around the country.

Age and Maturity of the Child

One concept that all states agree with is that children should be at a certain age before staying at home alone. The age of the child solely depends on each region and its standards.

When it comes to the child's age, eight different ranges are acceptable for each state. These ranges are the ones that states decided are the most acceptable age to start with. That way, as the child gets older, they can begin to adapt to the change and govern themselves accordingly. These ages are used to determine what age is appropriate for kids to start babysitting. The ranges and the number of states that abide by these ages are:

Also, the child's maturity level is taken into consideration with being home alone. The following aspects can be used to analyze how mature a child is:

  • Whether the child can care for themselves.
  • Whether the child can follow the rules and make wise decisions.
  • How the child can respond to urgent situations.
  • How the child feels about being alone in the house.

Special Circumstances

In some instances, it is appropriate for young children to stay home alone. Not only are these reasons valid, but they are also necessary most of the time. Sometimes, it can also mean the difference between the child's safety in the long run. Every child is different. Therefore, before parents can leave them in the house alone, they must prepare their children for certain circumstances that could occur. This action requires coaching the children by asking certain questions and teaching them specific information, like:

  • Teaching the children any emergency contact information.
  • Scheduling times to call the children while they are at home.
  • Showing the children how to use locks and keep them locked.
  • Keeping dangerous objects out of the children's reach.

Consequences

There is some consequence for unlawfully leaving a child alone. Each state follows the same specific punishments for these parents, but they also may alter some to satisfy the state rules. If it is suspected that a child is unlawfully left alone at home, Child Protective Services (CPS) will begin an investigation to determine the child's safety in the household. If the investigation shows that the child was in danger while alone, they will be taken into state custody. The parent will also have the potential to be charged with child endangerment or child abandonment, especially if the child is harmed while home alone.

Age a Child can be Left Home Alone by State 2024

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State
Minimum Age
Recommended Age
Note
Source
AlabamaNonehttps://law.justia.com/codes/alabama/2009/Title26/Chapter14/26-14-1.html
AlaskaNonehttps://dfcs.alaska.gov/ocs/Documents/childrensjustice/MandatoryReporting.pdf
ArizonaNonehttps://dcs.az.gov/resources/faq/question-what-age-can-child-be-left-home-alone-when-we-are-work
ArkansasNonehttps://www.uaex.uada.edu/life-skills-wellness/personal-family-well-being/family-life-fridays-blog/posts/HomeAlone1_FLF.aspx
CaliforniaNonehttps://sbcountyda.org/2020/08/04/home-alone/
ColoradoNone12https://co4kids.org/faq
ConnecticutNone12https://portal.ct.gov/DCF/Families/Leaving-your-child-alone
DelawareNonehttps://kids.delaware.gov/faqs/
FloridaNonehttps://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-welfare/caregivers/when-to-leave-kids.shtml
GeorgiaNone9Guidelines recommend ages 9-12 for short time alone, 13 and up for extended time alonehttps://www.forsyth.k12.ga.us/Page/40922
HawaiiNonehttps://ag.hawaii.gov/cpja/mcch/publications/know-the-rules-after-school-safety/
IdahoNonehttps://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/services-programs/211
Illinois14https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=070504050K2-3
IndianaNonehttp://www.in.gov/dcs/files/Home_Alone_Brochure.pdf
IowaNonehttps://blogs.extension.iastate.edu/scienceofparenting/2010/10/18/at-what-age-can-your-child-stay-home-alone/
KansasNone6https://www.statecollege.com/with-no-minimum-age-to-leave-children-home-alone-pennsylvania-is-failing-its-kids/
KentuckyNone11https://ukhealthcare.uky.edu/wellness-community/blog/when-it-safe-kids-stay-home-alone-heres-what-you-should-know
LouisianaNonehttps://www.dcfs.louisiana.gov/page/109
MaineNonehttps://www.newscentermaine.com/article/life/parenting/at-what-age-is-it-okay-to-leave-your-child-home-alone/97-e009ff96-6bf8-4ebf-afa2-dd4df2b86d7b
Maryland8According to Maryland fire code law, children 8 and older may legally be left alone for brief time and children 12 and older may be left alone for longer periods.https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcfrs-info/tips/parents/childcare.html
MassachusettsNonehttps://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-child-abuse-and-neglect
MichiganNonehttps://www.michigan.gov/-/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/Folder2/Folder100/Folder1/Folder200/homealone.pdf?rev=272ca6f449444ad984fbf13c91db16eb#:~:text=There%20is%20no%20agreed%2Dupon,responsible%20behavior%20in%20the%20past.
MinnesotaNoneRegulated at local level.https://www.co.dakota.mn.us/HealthFamily/Parenting/Supervision/Pages/default.aspx
MississippiNone12https://wehavekids.com/parenting/When-to-Allow-Your-Children-to-Stay-Home-Alone
MissouriNonehttps://ksisradio.com/at-what-age-can-a-child-be-left-home-alone-in-missouri-and-illinois/
MontanaNonehttps://billingsmix.com/leaving-your-kids-alone-at-home-in-montana-legal-or-illegal/
NebraskaNone7Age is recommended, but not legally required.
NevadaNonehttps://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-las-vegas/downtown/age-not-the-only-factor-in-deciding-when-to-leave-kids-home-alone/
New HampshireNonehttps://wehavekids.com/parenting/When-to-Allow-Your-Children-to-Stay-Home-Alone,
New JerseyNonehttps://wokq.com/what-age-is-it-legal-to-leave-your-kids-home-alone-in-new-hampshire/
New MexicoNoneRegulated at local level. 11 is minimum age in the city of Albuquerque.https://www.cabq.gov/police/crime-prevention-safety/family-safety/child-safety-at-home/
New YorkNonehttp://www.ocfs.state.ny.us/programs/cps/FAQ.php#supervision
North Carolina8No national law, but fire code establishes 8 as the minimum agehttps://wehavekids.com/parenting/When-to-Allow-Your-Children-to-Stay-Home-Alone,
North DakotaNoneDHS guidelines set 9 as minimum age and 12 as minimum for long periods alonehttps://www.nd.gov/dhs/info/news/2022/5-24-agencies-offer-guidance-for-parents-wondering-if-a-child-may-be-ready-to-stay-home-alone.pdf
OhioNonehttp://childrenservices.franklincountyohio.gov/about/faqs.cfm
OklahomaNone7https://oklahoma.gov/ohca/policies-and-rules/xpolicy/developmental-disabilities-services/member-services/guidelines-to-staff/home-profile-process.html
OregonNonehttps://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_163.545
PennsylvaniaNonehttps://www.colegiocarmenbenitez.es/what-is-the-legal-age-to-be-left-home-alone-in-pa/
Rhode IslandNone
South CarolinaNonehttp://www.scnow.com/archives/article_4efc2f6f-f6be-5d4b-8bf6-c1053cb32c7a.html
South DakotaNone10https://dss.sd.gov/docs/childprotection/Treatment_Facilities_Report.pdf
TennesseeNone10https://www.statecollege.com/with-no-minimum-age-to-leave-children-home-alone-pennsylvania-is-failing-its-kids/
TexasNonehttps://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/Child_Safety/child_supervision.asp
UtahNonehttp://www.cssutah.org/families/frequently-asked-questions
VermontNonehttp://www.town.williston.vt.us/index.asp?Type=B_LIST&SEC=6574C7EC-DE5A-459E-8D97-FE2830A470A8
VirginiaNonehttps://www.dss.virginia.gov/files/division/dfs/cps/intro_page/publications/general/alone.pdf
WashingtonNone10https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/coronavirus-covid-19/families
West VirginiaNonehttps://teamwv.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/CHILDS-BEST-INTEREST-Revised-10_22_12-copy.pdf
WisconsinNonehttp://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/your-safety/families/kids-home-alone
WyomingNone
showing: 50 rows

Age a Child can be Left Home Alone by State 2024

Sources