PARENTS hoping to slip out for a holiday errand may be surprised by just how young some kids can legally be left alone in parts of the US, with a few states allowing children as young as 6 to stay home without an adult.
But in most of the country, there’s no hard number at all, leaving moms and dads to make the call, and risking a child neglect investigation if something goes wrong.
Most states don’t set a firm age for leaving kids home aloneCredit: Getty
Consider your child’s maturity, health, and comfort level before leaving them home aloneCredit: Getty
In New York, there is no set age written into state law for when a child can be left home alone.
“In New York State, it is neglect to leave a child who is too young home alone if the child’s condition is impaired or at risk of harm,” a spokesperson from the New York State Executive Chamber told TODAY.com .
“Since State law does not set forth a bright-line rule based on the specific age, it will depend on the child and the circumstances. Child Protective Services can determine what’s ‘too young’ based on the child and circumstances.”
Across the river, neighboring New Jersey also does not lay out a specific legal age.
“The State of New Jersey does not specify any appropriate, legal age to leave a child or children home alone,” according to the Bergen County Department of Human Services in New Jersey.
Experts say families looking for a general benchmark often land around the tween years.
Generally, 12 and older is “a pretty acceptable age,” family therapist Sheryl Ziegler told TODAY.com.
Ziegler said kids that age have usually already handled small steps of independence, like walking to a friend’s house or heading to the bus stop.
Still, the right age can shift depending on the child, even within the same family.
Parents are urged to weigh a child’s comfort level, maturity, emotional and physical health, home environment, access to support, and whether siblings, older or younger, will be there too.
Before leaving a child alone, Ziegler advised parents to check their state law and understand the gray areas, so they don’t accidentally cross the line into neglect.
“Many states’ child protection laws classify ‘failing to provide adequate supervision of a child’ as child neglect,” according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
“But in most cases, States do not define what is considered ‘adequate supervision.’”
Ziegler said families should also run through basic safety questions before taking what she called “a thoughtful, calculated risk.”
What Parents Should do Before Leaving Kids Home Alone
- Check your state law and understand that many don’t list a specific age
- Make sure your child knows your phone number, home address, and access codes
- Teach them when and how to call 911
- Consider your child’s maturity, health, and comfort level
- Check in while you’re gone, but don’t overdo it
- Let a trusted neighbor know and tell your child who to expect
- Fully charge all phones and devices before you leave
Kids should memorize a parent’s phone number, their home address, and any access codes they might need to get into the building.
They should also know how and when to call 911.
If you do step out, Ziegler suggested checking in midway but not hovering so much that your child feels you don’t trust them.
Another option is having a neighbor stop by, as long as your child knows who to expect.
And parents should make sure all devices are charged so the child can reach someone quickly if they need help.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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