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Jul 2, 2009 11:05 pm US/Central
Good Question: How Old Can Kids Be Left Alone?
(WCCO)
To parents who remember being left alone to watch their siblings at the age of 6, times have changed. Some parents are now concerned about leaving their children alone for even a second. How old does a child have to be before being old enough to be left alone?
"The laws in Minnesota are non-specific about age," said Pam Orren, with Hennepin County Child Protection Services.
About 18 months ago, "all the counties got together and tried to decide what was reasonable," she said.
The guidelines are fairly straightforward.
"Anybody under the age of 8 can't be left alone, even for short periods of time," said Orren.
That doesn't mean that a younger child has to be in your direct sight at all times.
"You can let him play in the backyard, he can be out with friends on your block, as long as you are aware of where he is, so you are available," she said.
Children who are 8, 9 and 10 years old can be left home alone for no more than three hours, according to the state guidelines. The time must be during daylight hours, according to Orren.
The next step is at age 11. Eleven-, 12- and 13-year-olds can be left alone for an entire day, up to 12 hours.
"Eleven-year-olds are allowed to babysit and the Red Cross has certification programs," said Orren, so it seems reasonable that an 11-year-old can take care of him or herself.
At age 14 and 15, children are allowed to be alone for an overnight, up to 24 hours.
"That's with provisions, I have to stress that," said Orren. "They better be available, or someone else available. I really encourage parents to look at their own child, what their own child is comfortable with."
Orren said these guidelines don't necessarily work for every child. Some are not mature enough to handle the responsibility.
"Don't go below the guidelines, but feel free to go above the guidelines," she explained.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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