In California, at what age can children stay at home alone? What a parent should know

It is a common question: When is it okay to leave a youngster alone?

According to a majority of social workers polled for an American Academy of Pediatrics survey, kids shouldn’t be left alone at home until they are at least 12 years old. According to the same survey, if a child gets hurt while being left unattended at home, those same social workers would view it as neglect.

Almost all social workers concluded that, when a child was six years old or younger and left alone at home for four hours without any injuries, the child had been neglected.

The following is California law regarding the absence of children from the family.

When can children in California stay at home by themselves?

There isn’t a state law in California that specifies when children should be left alone. On the other hand, in the event that their neglect puts kids in danger, parents may be in violation of child safety legislation.

It is against the law to leave a kid under the age of eighteen in any circumstance where the child could be harmed or in danger, according to California Penal Code § 273a.

A March 2023 aggregated study claims that sixteen states mandate or suggest a minimum age, ranging from six to fourteen, at which parents can leave a child at home alone. Of the 34 states, California is the only one without a suggested or mandatory minimum age.

When is it okay for parents to leave their kids at home alone? There is a checklist in California

Parents should consult the California Department of Education’s checklist before determining when to leave their child at home.

• Which would your child prefer—staying at home or attending an after-school program or day care center?
• Do they become scared easily?
• Are they in charge?
• Are they able to tackle difficulties creatively?
• Would they manage her time well?
• Does your youngster have short attention spans?
• Do they ever tell you where he’s going and when he’ll be back?
• Would an older brother or sister be with them at home? Are siblings harmonious?
• Would the elder sibling be angry at the younger for taking care of them?
• Would the older child’s activities be limited by taking care of the younger sibling?
• Do you have distant neighbors and live in a remote area?
• Is there safety in your neighborhood?
• Will your child always have access to you or another adult in case of emergency?
• Is a neighbor available to assist if necessary?

What should you do before allowing your child to spend the night at home alone?

The California Department of Education suggests that you write out the house rules and set them somewhere visible before allowing your child to spend time at home alone. Select a trial term to see if any regulations need to be changed.

These guidelines could consist of:

• Which pals might visit your house?
• What programs can one watch on television?
• Food that they could consume
• Using a computer, phone, stove, appliance, or tool
• Going outside
• How to get in touch with them

Furthermore, confirm that your child must manage:

• Unknown people at the door or on the phone?
• being unable to enter the house? Burning?
• Conflicts with a brother or sister?
• A bitten insect or a scraped knee?