What Age Can You Leave a Child Home Alone in Maine?

At what age can you legally leave your child at home alone in Maine? I was shocked to discover that most states, including Maine, has no specific age. Leaving a child at home at any age in the state of Maine is entirely up to the discretion of the parents.

In fact, there are only five states that have an age requirement. Georgia states that children need to be at least 9 years old in order to be left alone. In Illinois, the child must be 14 and in Oregon the minimum age is 10 years old. In the states of Maryland and North Carolina, children must be at least 8 years old to be left at home.

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In some states, there is no formal law set for minimum age requirements, but there are informal recommendations. For example, Colorado has no specified required age limit for a child to be left alone at home, but they informally recommend that they are at least the age of 12.

What Does This Mean for Children in Maine?

With no age requirement for leaving children alone at home, determining whether or not that they will be safe on their own is entirely up to their parents. Findmykids.org offers a few things to consider when making the decision to leave your child at home alone.

1.) Consider the neighborhood and crimes committed in and around your neighborhood. Are their neighbors nearby that could assist in an emergency? Does your child feel safe?

2.) Make arrangements to guarantee your child's safety. Is there a way they can reach you immediately if necessary? Do they know how to contact emergency services? Do they have someone close to reach out to if needed?

3.) Are they capable of handling an emergency situation? Do they know what to do if there is a fire, if a stranger approaches the home, or who to call if they get hurt?

4.) If your oldest child is taking care of younger children, do they know how to care for them? Do they know what to do if a younger child is choking or gets injured?

5.) How long are you leaving the child alone? There's a significant difference between one hour and one day.

Here Are What Mainers Said in Regard to What Age a Child Can Be Left Home Alone in Maine

Susan Mishou - It all depends on the child I was home alone at a young age babysitting my brother my older kids not until they were maybe 14 just a little when they got off the bus but now in this crazy world, I don’t want my little girl home alone at any age.

Pamela Gordon - When they can demonstrate proper decision making, awareness and understanding of what an emergency is and how to conduct themselves in that situation. Safe handling of equipment such as stove and knives. For some kids that’s at an earlier age than others.

Glenda Jean Crosby - In this day… with so much going on. I can’t fathom leaving kids home alone until they have shown enough maturity to be alone and be able to handle that responsibility! I’m glad I am not raising kids now!

Jamie Sinclair - It really depends on the kid. I was able to start leaving mine at 9 out of necessity. But it was 45 minutes to an hour max till she was 12. My kid was also the type to take directions literally. Go home, get a snack, do homework, stay on couch, can watch TV. Didn't realize I forgot to tell her she could use the bathroom when needed. Came home one day to her doing the gotta go yesterday dance.

Misti Pete Leathers - That is a broad question, some kids can at 8 some can't at 18 (I was cooking full meals cleaning and babysitting at 10, but there are not many kids today I would trust to do the same) It depends where you live, who your neighbors are, where you are going and how long and then what your personal child can handle.