The legal age is not legislated in most states. The factor that is looked at is whether or not the child can take care of themselves and knows how to get help if they need it. Ten or eleven for a short time during the day is considered within the norm. There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages for children home alone, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Georgia, Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with specific ages mentioned in their laws.
12 years of age appears to be the most common recommendation. Below in Related Links is an article entitled Home Alone Children Legal Age Limits which provides one guideline from a California agency representative who suggests that 8 year olds and over can be left at home for up to several hours (usually after school before a parent gets home from work). This site also provides a state by state comparison with references.
the age for an older child to watch younger children in Florida is 13, but that also depends on how mature and respondsible the 13 year old is, generally it is up to the parent of the child, if they feel that the child is respondsible enough to leave them at home for the night, as long as they are 13 and older.
The age at which a child can be left at home alone is only legislated in two states, Maryland and Illinois. The legal check is whether or not the child is safe and has the ability to take care of themselves. Most authorities agree that leaving a 12 year old alone at home for an hour or two is acceptable, but they should not be responsible for other children. Florida: According to the Department of Children and Families, Abuse Hotline, there is no specific age defined in Florida law regarding when a child can be left homealone. However, they have indicated that a child aged 8 or older who is mature and knows whom to contact in an emergency and is not disabled or mentally challenged can be left at home alone. For further information and clarification of this rule, contact the DCF Abuse Hotline at (1-800)-962-2873.
There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages for children home alone, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Georgia, Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with specific ages mentioned in their laws.
12 years of age appears to be the most common recommendation. Below in Related Links is an article entitled Home Alone Children Legal Age Limits which provides a state by state comparison with references. One guideline from a California child welfare representative suggests that 8 year olds and over can be left at home for a brief period of time (usually just after school).
There are no laws in the state of Florida that address this. The child(ren) needs to feel safe, be safe, and know how to handle an emergency. Most authorities feel that a 12 or 13 year old should be okay for a couple of hours during the day.
There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages for children home alone, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Georgia, Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with specific ages mentioned in their laws.
12 years of age appears to be the most common recommendation. Below in Related Links is an article entitled Home Alone Children Legal Age Limits state by state comparison with references.
One guideline from a California child welfare representative suggests that 8 year olds and over can be left at home for a brief amount of time(such as just after school). The most common statement is that a child's maturity should be the determining factor and not just age.
10 years old
"There is no minimum age established by law. Whether a child can be left alone depends on a number of factors, including: the child's maturity; the safety of the environment they are in; how long they are left alone; whether or not they can get in touch with their parent or caregiver; and whether or not they know what to do in case of an emergency. Leaving a child alone can constitute neglect on the part of a parent or caregiver if the child could be in any danger of harm." - Eighth Judicial Circuit Family Court (Florida) There are very few states in the U.S. with legal minimum ages for children home alone, but many state agencies have published guidelines. Georgia, Illiniois, Maryland and Oregon are a few of the states with specific ages mentioned in their laws.
12 years of age appears to be the most common recommendation. Below in Related Links is an article entitled Home Alone Children Legal Age Limits which provides one guideline from a California agency representative who suggests that 8 year olds and over can be left at home for up to several hours (usually after school before a parent gets home from work). This site also provides a state by state comparison with references.
From the NCCIC: States do not have regulations or laws about when a child is considered old enough to care for him/herself or
to care for other children. States may have guidelines or recommendations. These guidelines are most often distributed through
child protective services and are administered at the county level.Contact the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect
Information (NCCAN) at 800-394-3366, and staff there will refer you to your local child protective services agency to learn about
you have to be atleast 12
21
12
13
The legal age is 14 for Illinois.
12 it is 12
According to the Quebec immigration/citizens' website, the legal age is 12 years or older. A child under 12 cannot stay home alone.
12
14
13
I am not a US citizen so I don't know about the state laws of Florida. However, I can tell you for certain that you should not leave a 10 year old child home alone (legal or not!).
The legal age is 14 for Illinois.
Children can stay home alone for a few hours with access to an adult at the age of 12. Children below the age of 12 cannot stay home alone for any length of time.?
12 it is 12
According to the Quebec immigration/citizens' website, the legal age is 12 years or older. A child under 12 cannot stay home alone.
See Related Links (Home Alone Children and Legal Age Limits) for listing of states with laws and guidelines.
Well, you have to be fourteen to be able to 'babysit' somebody under fourteen.
There is no legal age limit. There are only recommendations on the maturity of the child.
A child must be at least 12 years old to stay home alone in Delaware. At this age, they can also babysit other children and siblings.