
It’s Lunar New Year-Is It Illegal In NY State To Leave Kids Home Alone?
New York State schools have added another holiday to the calendar. Today is Lunar New Year or Chinese New Year and kids have the day off. It's inconvenient for many working parents to have a holiday in the middle of the week. Is it illegal to leave your children home alone?
What is the Legal Age to Leave Kids Home Alone in New York State?
New York State Office for Children and Family Services (OFCS) says that no law states a legal age to leave your children home unattended. They leave it up to the discretion of the parent or guardian. However, they say to use proper judgment.
The New York State Office of Child and Family Services Does Have Some Guidelines
There are often questions about the appropriate age to leave children home alone and also what age is recommended to allow a child to begin babysitting. According to the OCFS website, they reiterate that all kids develop at their own rate and they individually have their abilities and needs.
Some kids can be left home alone at twelve or thirteen and babysat at this age because they are responsible, independent, and intelligent enough to do so. But there is a difference between leaving a twelve-year-old home alone for a few hours and having that same kid babysit for a five-year-old. Ultimately, it is left up to the discretion of the parents.
13 Missing From Upstate New York's Capital Region
Gallery Credit: National Center For Missing & Exploited Children