FORT BENNING, Ga -- The decision to leave a child home alone requires taking many factors into account. But ultimately, parents need to realize it is their responsibility to ensure the safety of their children, said Rebecca Welch, Family Advocacy Program manager for Fort Benning.
"At some point in time parents face the decision to have to leave their child at home for the first time ... the parents have to be sure that their children have the skills and maturity to handle the situation safely," she said.
Parents should also know state laws regarding leaving children at home, and if you live on Fort Benning - know the regulation.
Fort Benning regulation states children younger than 8 must never be left unattended, whether at home or in a car. And children between 4 and 6 who are playing outside must have immediate access and sight of a supervising adult.
Children, ages 9 to 12, and based on their level of maturity, can be left unattended for no more than two hours. Teenagers can be left home alone for up to 12 hours.
These are the installation's regulations, but parents need to understand the risks of leaving children unattended, Welch said. They should also understand their children's needs, maturity levels and personalities.
"Any type of emergency situation can happen," she said. "That's the reason the child needs to have that ability to be able to handle the challenges that they may face, especially if they are taking care of a younger child ... or a child with special needs."
Being home alone can be a positive experience for a child to handle such a responsibility, and it can be a way to boost the child's confidence and sense of independence, Welch said.
But first, parents need to make sure the child is mature enough to handle the responsibility. And there isn't necessarily an agreed upon age when a child is mature enough to handle being home alone.
Some children may not want to stay home alone.
"(Parents should) look at the child's physical, mental, developmental and emotional well-being and they need to look at the child's willingness to stay at home alone," she said.
Welch said there are some questions parents can think about when deciding if their child can handle the responsibility: Does your child obey rules and make good decisions? And how does your child respond to unfamiliar or stressful situations (such as needing to call 911)?
"We try to inform Families of different circumstances that could happen," she said.
If you aren't sure your child can handle the risk, then practice, Welch said. Leave a child home for a short period of time and see how they manage. Just make sure you have established rules and check in on the child.
If you decide to have someone else watch your children, make sure you know the person and their background well. Your child should also feel safe and comfortable around the person.
If it's a teenager, make sure they have taken a baby-sitting class and a CPR class. And never let teenagers watch infants or children who have special needs, Welch said.
Child safety in public places
Leaving children unattended in public places puts the child at risk for abduction, she said. Perpetrators hang around areas where there are children such as schools, playgrounds, bus stops and in neighborhoods.
"You want to think there are good people wherever you go but I hate to say it - that's not the case," Welch said.
She discourages leaving children, especially younger ones, unattended in any public place.
"You don't know who else is lurking around the area. You have to be the one to be the adult - not the child," she said, adding it's the responsibility of the parents to watch their children.
With teenagers, their maturity levels will let you know whether they are able to handle themselves responsibly - whether they are hanging with friends or at home alone.
Will they be able to make responsible decisions such as not drinking alcohol and not doing drugs?
Parents should know where their teens are going and who they will be hanging out with, Welch said.
If you need to leave your children at a facility such as a teen center or child care center, make sure it's a reputable place.
In a one-year study period by the U.S. Department of Justice, of 797,500 children reported missing 58,200 of them were victims of nonfamily abductions. An average of 2,185 children were reported missing each day, according to the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
"Some people think we may go overboard ... but we see this a lot and you can never prepare enough," she said.
If your child walks home from school or rides a bicycle, parents should take precautions to ensure their children get home safely, such as going with a group or having an adult walk with them.
According to Fort Benning regulations, parents should take reasonable measures to supervise and safeguard children walking to or from school, as well as waiting for the bus.
Although the level of supervision depends on the needs and maturity of the children, failure to provide adequate may subject a person to criminal persecution.
At the end of the day, parents need to look at the factors that reflect their Family's situation.
"We have to be the one to protect the children," Welch said.
Social Sharing