Home Alone Guidelines

Things to consider when leaving children "home alone". The following guidelines are used by the Chisago County Health and Human Services Department. They are not the only things to be considered. A child's physical and mental health should be taken into account, along with other environmental safety factors.

Supervision Guidelines

• Take the child's physical and mental health into account.
• Children 7 and under may not be left alone for any period of time.
• Children 8 - 10 may not be left alone for more than three hours.
• Children 11 - 13 may not be left alone for more than 12 hours.
• Children 14 - 15 may not be left alone for more than 24 hours.
• Children 16 - 17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with a plan in place concerning how to respond to an emergency.

Reports alleging inadequate child care arrangements may be screened in for a child protection response according to the following guidelines:

• Children under age 11 should not provide child care.
• Children 11 - 15 who are placed in a child care role are subject to the same time restrictions of being left along listed above.
• Children 16 - 17 may be left alone for more than 24 hours with adequate adult back-up supervision.

Babysitting Age Guidelines

• Children may not baby sit younger children until age 11 or older and the caretaker must return later that same day.
• Children may not baby sit younger children for more than 24 hours, unless they are over age 15.

Safety Guidelines

• Easy accessibility of parent or caretaker by phone or in person.
• Take the child's physical and mental health into account.
• Consider the behavioral history of the children.
• Is the young child able to reach and use a stove, iron or other dangerous appliance?
• Is there an escape or fire drill plan?
• Is there a smoke detector?
• Are there hazards in the home?
• How does the child react to being left?
• What are the ages of the children being watched?
• How reliable is the babysitter and have they completed a babysitting clinic?