Even if the child seems independent, leaving the child at home alone without adult supervision too early can be risky for the child. Children need adult supervision, guidance, and attention to ensure their safety and healthy development.

The Risk of Leaving Kids at Home Without Adult Supervision

There are several risks if children are left at home without proper adult supervision, including:

• Children who are too young may not have the understanding or skills to deal with emergencies or physical danger
• Children left alone may be tempted to engage in risky behavior such as trying dangerous objects or engaging in unsafe activities
• Children can be targets for people with evil intentions
• The appearance of anxiety, fear, or loneliness
• Inhibits children's ability to interact and learn from others
• Risk of accidents such as fire, swallowing medicines, electric shock, and so on

When can a child be left at home alone?

Each country has specific rules regarding leaving children home alone without parental supervision. Some countries can even impose sanctions if parents are negligent and do not comply with existing regulations.

Parents need to consider several factors before leaving their children alone at home, such as emotional maturity, practical skills, cognitive maturity, parental trust, duration of time, and whether the environment around the house is safe or not.

Here are guidelines for leaving children home alone according to the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• Age 7 and under - should not be left alone for long periods, including in the car, on the playground, in the backyard, or inside the house without adult supervision
• 8-10 years old - should not be left alone for more than 1-2 hours, and should only be left alone during the day and evening
• 11-12 years old - can be left alone for up to 3 hours, but only in the afternoon and evening
• 13-15 years old - can be left unsupervised but not all night
• Ages 16-17 years - can be left unsupervised for up to 1-2 nights in a row

Tips if your child has to be left home alone

As per the guidelines above, children from 8-10 years old can be left alone but only for 1-2 hours. Beforehand, you also need to consider the child's readiness factors. If your child doesn't seem ready, you may have to wait until your child is 11-12 years old.

Here are some tips if you need to leave your child alone at home:

• Make sure your child knows where to store the first aid kit and provide first aid for minor wounds such as scratches, nosebleeds or minor burns
• Store dangerous sharp objects out of reach of children
• Teach children to contact the emergency service center number in certain conditions such as fire, and also make sure children know the escape route if certain conditions occur
• Leave your phone number with a friend or neighbor so they can quickly contact you if something happens
• Agree on how to use the telephone, television, internet, and kitchen appliances or other tools while you leave your child alone at home
• Make sure doors and windows are secure when you leave your child alone at home
• Teach children not to open the door carelessly to strangers when their parents are not at home
• Check the child's condition by telephone or picture message to ensure the child is okay

Keep in mind that deciding to leave a child home alone carries significant responsibility for parents. Consult with your doctor to assess your child's cognitive, emotional, and social readiness before considering leaving them home alone.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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