Most students in Michigan are approaching summer vacation, a time for a relaxing and fun break from the long school year.
Parents, though, typically aren’t on that kind of schedule and might find themselves wondering at what age it’s legal to leave children home unattended over summer vacation.
“Every parent eventually faces the decision to leave their child home alone for the first time,” the Michigan’s Child Welfare Information Gateway said in a fact sheet. “Whether they are just running to the store for a few minutes or working during after-school hours, parents need to be sure their children have the skills and maturity to handle the situation safely. Being trusted to stay home alone can be a positive experience for a child who is mature and well prepared.”
In Michigan, there is no minimum age at which children may be left home alone without supervision. Michigan law does regulate how young a child can be to remain in a vehicle alone.
Parents, however, should consider many factors before leaving their children alone.
“When deciding whether to leave a child home alone, you will want to consider your child’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being,” the Child Welfare Information Gateway said.
Here’s what you should know when making a decision.
Is there a legal age when you can leave children home?
According to the National Child Care Information Center, only Illinois and Maryland currently have laws regarding a minimum age for leaving a child home alone. Even in those states, other factors, such as concern for a child’s well-being and the amount of time the child is left alone, are considered.
According to the Child Protection Law, there is no legal age that a child can be left home alone, the Michigan Mandated Reporters’ Resource Guide says.”…But as a general rule, a child 10 years old and younger is not responsible enough to be left home alone. A child over the age of 10 and under the age of 12 will be evaluated, but the case may not always be assigned for a CPS investigation,” the guide says.
Things to consider when leaving a child home
It’s important to consider their maturity and if they’ve demonstrated responsible behavior in the past:
What should you consider when leaving children home?
You may also want to consider certain circumstance like:
Once you’ve decided your child can stay home
There are other points to consider:
Create a safety plan you child can understand
It’s also important to establish a safety plan so your child knows what to do and who to contact in an emergency situation. Other factors include:
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: When can you leave your kids home alone in Michigan? What to know as summer vacation nears
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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