What is the legal age to stay home alone?

Some states in America set a minimum age at which a child may legally stay home alone, while others do not. The minimum age ranges from 8 to 14, depending on the particular state laws.

Although state laws regarding this issue vary, Safe Kids Worldwide, a leading organization devoted to preventing childhood injuries, recommends that children under the age of 12 not be left alone at home. This is not necessarily a hard and fast rule, however. Children mature at different ages. A mature child of 11, for example, might be able to deal with being home alone better than an immature older child.