Home Alone: Determining the Right Age in Washington State

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With the cost of childcare at an all-time high, many Washington State residents have considered leaving children home alone. This begs the question, “How old should your child be before you allow them to stay home alone?” Washington State has no laws or rules that tell residents at what age can a child legally be left home alone. Of course, not all children are the same. Children mature at different rates. Just because one child is capable of watching after themselves or a sibling or two doesn’t mean that another child of the same age is ready for such responsibilities yet.

What to Consider Before Leaving Your Child Home Alone

Before you leave your child home alone, you’ll want to decide if they are ready for such responsibility:

How dependent is your child? Is your child able to make himself or herself a sandwich or small meal without your assistance? Are they capable of caring for one or more siblings in your absence?

How old is your child? On average, children begin learning how to be home alone in increments. A ten year old might be left home alone for half an hour to an hour while their parents run to the store or go check the mail. As the child proves that they are capable of this, most parents will increase the time frame that children are left home alone.

Does your child know what to do if someone they don’t know is knocking on the door? Teaching children not to open the door to strangers is important to their safety and possibly your safety as well. Even if they know who is at the door, it’s important not to open the door if they are home alone. Is your child old enough to understand this concept?

Does your child know what to do if there is an emergency? Are they capable of dialing an emergency number and giving their address, phone number, and the details of the emergency? Is there a neighbor or friend that they could call for simple issues? Can they call you while you’re out on errands or at work? These are all important questions that can help you determine whether or not your child is ready to be home alone for a time.

Does your child obey rules and make good decisions? If someone tried to talk your child into opening the door would your child open the door? Does your child obey the rules about not having friends in the house while you’re gone?

Does your child feel comfortable or fearful about being home alone? If you run a short errand does your child call you and ask you how much longer you’re gong to be? Does your child feel safe when you’re gone or does he or she hide under the bed or in a closet until your return?

How many children are being left home alone? Children who seem ready to stay home alone may not be ready to care for younger siblings or siblings who have disabilities or specific care needs.

Is your home free of hazards? Do your smoke alarms work and does your child know what to do if a smoke alarm goes off? Do they know safety procedures if there is a fire? If you have guns in the house, are they locked up safely?

Is there a high incidence of crime in the neighborhood? Different neighborhoods have different levels of crime rates. Do you know your neighbors? Are you friends with them?

Is your child able to reach door locks and peep holes? Does your child have a key or a plan should they be locked out of the house?

Does your child know where you are and how to contact you?

Does your child know other trusted adults' full names and contact information?

Make sure your child understands why he or she should never give out personal information online or in person to those that he or she doesn’t know. Remember, just because they met someone online, doesn’t make that person safe. Don’t give out personal information including address, phone numbers, names of schools or even city or towns.

Communication and trust are key in promoting a child or youth's well-being and building their confidence. Does your child understand how to use a cell phone or landline and is there one available to him or her when they are home alone?

Once you have determined that your child is ready to stay home alone, the following suggestions may help you prepare your child as well as help you feel more comfortable about leaving them home alone: Set clear guidelines about what your child can and cannot do while home alone. Establish rules for screen time, internet usage, and the use of kitchen appliances or any other potentially dangerous items.

The decision to leave your child home alone depends on many factors, and the decision that's best for one family may be different for another. Ultimately, your child's safety—and comfort level with being alone—should be the primary consideration when making this decision.

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