Can your kids stay home alone in Mississippi? What parents need to know for summer break
School's out. Summer break is here, and parents across Mississippi are trying to decide if their kids are ready to stay home alone and if it's legal for children to be by themselves while adults are at work.
Every child is different. But what are the guidelines for kids to be unsupervised? Is there a time limit? Here's what to know in the Magnolia State.
In the first "Home Alone" movie, Kevin McAllister was 8 when his family accidentally abandoned him in his Chicago home. Current Illinois law says children younger than 14 can't be left unattended for an "unreasonable period of time," meaning his parents would face some consequences if they plan a modern remake. (It's the oldest home-alone age set by law in the U.S.) Clearly, the McAllisters didn't learn the lesson. Kevin was fending for himself in New York City just a few years later.
Many states don't have a set age, but in Oklahoma kids as young as 6 can potentially be left unsupervised. According to a list from iMOM, several states let kids start being alone from about 8-12.
Mississippi doesn't have a certain age when kids can be left home alone. It's up to the parent or guardian's judgment about the child's needs and maturity level.
If things go wrong while they're unsupervised, or if the amount of time becomes an issue of neglect, parents can face criminal charges or other consequences.
Two Rankin County parents were charged with child neglect after reportedly leaving two kids, ages 3 and 6, alone late at night. The 3-year-old wandered from the home, and a neighbor reportedly alerted authorities.
Babies should never be left unattended. Some children can stay by themselves for short periods, and older children and teens may be OK to stay alone for several hours or supervise younger kids.
Safe Kids Worldwide recommends that children aren't left home alone until they're about 12-13.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says youths usually can't handle emergencies until the ages of 11-12 and recommends structured supervision until then.
Experts say kids should be 12 before being left unattended and at least 15 before they watch a younger relative, according to MedicineNet. Minors shouldn't be left alone overnight until they're at least 16, and babies and toddlers younger than 2 shouldn't be left with kids younger than 16 for long periods of time.
The ages can vary if a child has special needs or health complications.
The answer to how long and how often a child can be left unsupervised depends on how mature they are.
You can have short test periods to make sure they fare OK, but the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests looking for some key criteria to guide your decision.
Does the child follow rules and make good choices?
Do they know how to handle an emergency? Can they call 911 or otherwise take care of a problem?
Are they scared about staying alone? Can they handle it physically?
How long will they be in charge of themselves or others?
Can they safely access and prepare food?
Go over safety plans and what is and isn't allowed when adults aren't home. Can other kids come over? Who? Some parents might say "don't open the door to strangers" while other families might have a list of only a handful of known adults it's OK to let in the house. Older kids might be given the green light to bake a frozen pizza, while others may have only microwave access.
Make sure a child understands when to call a parent and when to directly call 911. The Mississippi State Department of Health suggests posting phone numbers for 911, a pediatrician, poison control and the nearest emergency room or urgent care clinic. Including the full name address and information of where to find a trusted neighbor can also help.
Ensure your family has a fire safety plan, and that the children know how to follow it from every room in the house, as well as at night. Make sure there are smoke detectors throughout your home. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and train the child on how to use it. Keep matches and lighters away from kids.
If you have a gun in the house, keep it locked and separate from the bullets to avoid accidental shootings.
Train your child in basic first aid and keep a kit. CPR classes can also be beneficial if an older teenager is caring for younger siblings.
Store medicines and poisonous household substances out of reach of children.
If the child plans to cook for themselves, train them on how to operate the stove and oven safely and follow safe food handling practices to avoid injury or illness.
Other tips for kids that iMOM includes on a printable home alone checklist include:
Keep all the doors locked.
Don't leave the house.
Never tell anyone you're home alone.
Get along with your siblings.
Finish any chores/homework.
Check in with your parent/guardian.
The Mississippi Department of Child Protection Services investigates abuse and neglect allegations. You can also call the line to find out about community services for families that aren't neglectful but may need some extra support.
Call 1-800-222-8000 to make a report 24/7 or use the MCCPS website to report online.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Can your child stay home alone in Mississippi? What to know this summer
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