How young is too young to be left home alone? Georgia has strict guidelines for children
Every parent has had to make the decision about whether to leave their children home alone or not. In Georgia, there are some very specific age restrictions about which kids can be left alone and which need adult supervision.
Age requirements
According to the Department of Children and Family Services, (DCFS) children under the age of 9 should never be left alone at any time. However, as children age, the guidelines change and there are factors like ability or maturity that should affect a parent’s decision.
Children between the ages of 9 and 12 can be left alone for brief periods (less than two hours). Children 13 and older can be left alone without any time restrictions and can be left in charge of younger children.
Consequences for violating the age guidelines
Although there are no specific penalties designated for leaving a child alone, if a representative determines conditions are unsafe for the child, no matter their age, it could be considered neglect.
According to the Preventing Child Abuse program at Georgia State University, the state of Georgia defines neglect as:
The failure to provide proper parental care or control, subsistence, education as required by law or other care or control necessary for a child’s physical, mental or emotional health or morals; or
The failure to provide a child with adequate supervision necessary for such child’s wellbeing; or
The abandonment of a child by his or her parent, guardian or legal custodian.
While it is never ideal to have DCFS involved in a child’s life, if there is proven neglect in the home, the agent has the authority to enact measures to keep the child safe, such as:
Parenting classes
Loss of custody (in some cases)
Criminal charges (depending on any harm to the child)
Prepare the older kids to stay home alone
If you decide your older child can be left home alone, DCFS recommends going over the below measures to ready them in the case of an emergency.
Work out an emergency plan that provides detailed guidance.
Have them commit at least one emergency number to memory.
Secure any environmental factors that could cause harm (secure a firearm, water and pool safety, etc).
Coach them on age-appropriate activities while the adult is gone (don’t use the stove, answer the door, etc).
Make sure the child knows how to reach the designated emergency contact and practice before they’re home alone.
How old were you or your children the first time you were home alone? Vote first and then Sound off in the comments, or you can email me and find me on Instagram.
This story was originally published June 14, 2024 at 2:14 PM.
