At what age is it OK to leave your child at home? What Florida law says about it

School is out and the kids are home for the summer, and that means parents and guardians will now have to find ways to keep them busy for the next couple of months.

While summer camps and other childcare options are available to keep kids busy and out of the house, not every parent can afford to enroll their children in summer programs.

Is leaving your child home alone an option in Florida?

Here’s what to know about leaving your children home alone, and how to prepare them:

What age can a child be home alone in Florida?

Florida doesn’t have clear laws that specify the exact age when children are allowed to stay home alone.

However, according to Florida Department of Children and Families and the national SAFE Kids Campaign, children under the age of 12 years old should not be left alone. And the child welfare advocates say kids should not be taking care of siblings younger than 15.

Experts say it’s fine to leave 12-year-olds home alone for a few hours a day, while children 8 or 9 years old should only be left alone for 30 minutes or so every once in a while, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Under Florida law, a parent or caregiver can be guilty for “failure or omission to provide a child with the care, supervision, and services necessary to maintain the child’s physical and mental health, including, but not limited to, food, nutrition, clothing, shelter, supervision, medicine, and medical services that a prudent person would consider essential for the well-being of the child.”

Preparing your child to stay home alone

If your child is old enough to be home alone, it is important to make a plan and set rules with them.

Here are some things you should do to prepare your child to be home alone, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics:

• Post key contact information details in a visible place such as the refrigerator
• Make sure your child is familiar with when and how to call 911
• Have a first aid kit that is easily accessible
• Show your child where emergency supplies are located
• Show your child how to turn on and turn off an alarm if you have one
• Practice using kitchen appliances if they are allowed to use them while they are alone
• Make an emergency exit plan

This story was originally published June 18, 2024 at 8:15 AM.

Rosemary Montalvo

The News Tribune

Rosemary Montalvo was previously a service journalism reporter based in Tacoma, WA. She started as a summer news intern after graduating from California State University, Fullerton in May 2023. She has also worked as the photo editor and reporter for her university’s student-run newspaper. She was born in Inglewood, California.