What Age Can You Legally Leave A Kid At Home Alone In Wisconsin?

Did you know that some states have specific laws about how young your kids can be left home alone? For example, Illinois has a law saying kids under the age of 14 can't be left home alone. 14!? Really? That seems a little strict to me.

I remember the first time I was left home alone by my parents. I was 9 years old, we had a landline phone, and my parents were only gone for about an hour and a half. I still remember how weird it felt. I thought a burglar was going to break in at any moment, or the house would catch fire. Fortunately, none of that happened.

Laws Vary By State

So, some states have specific laws about leaving your kids alone at home, but Wisconsin is different. There is actually no specific age defined by law. However, parents are still held responsible under child abuse and child neglect laws.

Child Neglect & Abandonment Laws

For example, if you left your 8-year-old kid alone at home all weekend, that could be considered child abandonment. Be sure to read through the Wisconsin Law Statutes.

It's generally recommended that most kids be 8 years of age or older before being left alone. However, it's all about how mature they are and if they have any special needs. Kids mature at different ages. Some kids are more responsible.

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Make sure they can call in case of an emergency.

Also, you should make sure your child has access to a phone if you leave them home alone. With more and more households going away from landline phones, make sure your child has an option to call if they face an emergency.