With school out in Ohio for summer break, some working parents struggle to find childcare, camps, babysitters and other ways to keep their children safe and occupied.
Some children might even stay home alone while their parents are working. But is it safe and legal for children to stay home alone in Ohio and Kentucky?
Can children stay home alone in the state of Ohio, Kentucky?
As of 2026, there is no Ohio law stating a child at any age cannot be left alone unattended, according to the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. However, a child’s ability to make safe decisions and sense of maturity should be taken into consideration when a parent is deciding if they should leave them home alone.
According to NBC4, Ohio and 34 other states do not have a specific minimum age for staying home. Illinois has the highest age requirement with a minimum of 14, while Maryland and North Carolina have the lowest age requirement of 8.
According to the Louisville Courier Journal, there is no Kentucky law specifying at what age children can be left home alone.
Ohio and Kentucky have laws for child abandonment
Ohio doesn’t have a law about the minimum age for children to be left home alone, but it does have specific laws surrounding child abandonment, according to Ohio Code. Abandonment is when a parent fails to communicate with, provide for, and maintain their minor child younger than 18.
It is considered abandonment when a parent fails to visit or maintain contact with a child under 18 for more than 90 days, according to Ohio Laws and Administrative Rules.
In Kentucky, when a child’s “health or welfare is harmed or threatened with harm” as a result of actions from their parent or person in charge, this can constitute child abuse and neglect, according to the Courier Journal. This includes not providing adequate care, supervision, or food, and abusing the minor.
How to keep your child safe while you’re away
The recommended age for staying home alone is no younger than 12, according to The National SAFEKIDS Campaign. However, children mature at different rates, so it is up to the parents to decide if their child is ready and capable of taking care of themselves for a few hours during the day.
Here are some helpful tips to keep your child safe while you’re away, according to the Ohio Department of Children and Youth.
1. Communicate with your child
Kids might be excited or scared to be left home alone. So, it’s essential to have an open and honest discussion with your child about whether or not they’re ready to stay home alone.
Take time to discuss their responsibilities, your rules and expectations, and what they should know while being alone, including:
2. Create a safety plan with your child
Anything can happen to your child, so it’s important to create a plan in case of emergencies. Your child should know how to use devices in the house, how to lock and unlock doors and windows, and what to do during an emergency.
It’s important for you and your child to have these things handy:
In addition, it might be wise to inform a close friend, nearby family member, or neighbor that your child will be home alone while you’re at work.
3. Create a schedule for them to follow
It’s good to make a schedule full of fun and safe activities for your child to follow. These activities can include reading, coloring, and watching family-friendly movies.
4. Have easy snacks and meal prep
While you’re away, your child will have to fix something themselves while they’re hungry. Be sure to keep meals and easy snacks prepared, ones that can be eaten cold or easily microwaved. Avoid making food that requires the use of a conventional oven.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Is it legal to leave your kids home alone in Ohio and KY this summer?
Reporting by Mariyam Muhammad, USA TODAY NETWORK / Cincinnati Enquirer
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Mariyam Muhammad, USA TODAY NETWORK | USA TODAY Network
