How young is too young to be home alone? See California rules for kids, parents
Need to run a few errands and can’t find a babysitter?
You may be wondering if your child is old enough to stay home alone.
According to experts, the answer depends on your kid’s maturity, their comfort level and how responsible they are.
Here’s what you need to know:
At what age can you leave a child home alone in California?
In California, there is no legal minimum age a child can be left alone, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office.
However, the maturity and emotional level of a child are “factors that should be taken into account,” the agency said.
Other U.S. states have varying laws and recommendations — and they can get fairly convoluted, The Sacramento Bee previously reported.
The Kansas Department of Children and Families advises that children 6 years old or younger should never be left alone, even for short periods of time.
In Georgia, children under the age of 9 shouldn’t be left alone at any period of time, according to the state Department of Children and Family Services. However, kids between the ages of 9 and 12 can be left alone for brief periods.
How young is too young to be home alone? What experts say
In a 2015 survey conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics, 458 members of the National Association of Social Workers were asked what they thought was an appropriate age for child to be left home alone.
Most social workers agreed a child should be at least 12 years old before being left home alone, the survey revealed.
The respondents also noted that the child shouldn’t be left by themselves for longer than four hours and if the child is hurt while alone, “they are more likely to consider a home alone scenario as neglect.”
Can you go to jail for leaving a kid home alone?
In California, it’s illegal to leave a child under the age of 18 in “any situation where the child would suffer harm or be in danger,” according to Southern California law firm Wallin & Klarich.
“This includes leaving a child at home alone if they’re too young,” the law firm said.
“The exact age varies depending on the child’s maturity level and the location,” Wallin & Klarich said, “but generally speaking children must be over the age of 12 before they can be left home alone for extended periods of time.”
Under California’s Penal Code, anyone who allows a child to suffer “great bodily harm or death” — or inflicts “unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering” on a child is guilty of child endangerment.
What are the penalties for child endangerment?
If you’re convicted of misdemeanor child endangerment, you could serve up to one year in county jail and pay a maximum fine of $1,000, according to Wallin & Klarich.
Maximum penalties for felony child endangerment are six years in state prison and a $10,000 fine, according to the law firm.
You could also lose legal custody of your child.
When are kids ready to be left home alone?
“There is no sure sign” to let parents or guardians know their child is ready to stay home alone, the California Department of Education said on its website.
Parents will want to consider a number of factors, including whether the child is responsible and can creatively solve problems.
The California Department of Education has a checklist of questions you’ll want to ask yourself before deciding to leave your child home alone.
These include:
- Is your child easily frightened?
- Are they responsible?
- Can they creatively solve problems?
- Is your neighborhood safe?
- Does your child become bored easily?
- Would your child rather stay home than go to a child care or after-school program?
How can I prepare my child for staying home by themselves?
If you’re confident your child can stay home by themselves, the next step is to prepare your child.
Establishing rules and setting a trial period can help you better assess your child’s ability to be on their own.
Assure your child they can go back to day-care if they don’t feel safe at home, and set a clear trial-period, according to the California Department of Education.
Below are some rules to consider establishing, courtesy of the state Department of Education:
- Specify how long your child will be alone
- Have a clear understanding of which friends are allowed to come over while you’re away
- Specify what food they can eat and cook while you’re away
- Specify if they will be allowed to use the stove, telephone, computer, appliance, tools
- Will your child be allowed to leave the house?
How else can parents help?
Legal advice website FindLaw.com has tips for parents or guardians whose children are ready to be left at home alone.
These include:
- Have the child memorize their full name, address, and cell phone number.
- Post a list of emergency contacts or caregivers to call in the event of an emergency situation.
- Have a first aid kit available.
- Teach the child how to work the locks on windows and doors and lock them at home.
- Tell the child not to enter other people’s homes (even neighbors) without your permission.
- Designate a “safe house” to run to if the child ever feels that they’re in danger.
- Never allow a child to work the oven or stove without a parent or adult caretaker.
Call the child several times during the day while you are away for the first time.
You should also let your neighbor know your child is going to be home alone, FindLaw staff wrote.
“Not only can a neighbor be a good resource in the event of an emergency, but they can also help alleviate potential child welfare or child abuse calls to your local Child Protective Services by unaware neighbors,” the staffers said.
How do I childproof my house?
A number of household objects can present health and safety risks for children, according to Nemours Kids Health, a website associated with Nemours Children’s Health that says it’s “committed to transforming the health of all kids.”
“Lock them up and put them in a place where kids can’t get to them,” the website said.
Items that should be secured before you leave the house include:
- Alcohol
- Prescription medicines
- Over-the-counter medicines that could cause problems if taken in excess, including sleeping pills and cough medicine
- Guns (if you keep one, make sure it is locked up and leave it unloaded and stored away from ammunition)
- tobacco
- Car keys
- Lighters and matches
This story was originally published June 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
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