Don’t Leave Young Children
Home Alone

If you have young children, it’s not a good idea to leave them home alone. Kids left at home without a babysitter or other adult are more likely to hurt themselves or have a serious accident. They might also be kidnapped or abused.

One survey said it’s more common in Utah for children younger than 12 to be left home alone. In the rest of the country, 3 out of every 20 kids that age are left at home by themselves.

So when should you call a babysitter? Here are some guidelines:

Your Child’s Age	How Long Can Your Child Be Alone?
10 or younger	NEVER!
11–12	2 to 3 hours
13–15	8 to 10 hours
16–17	1 to 2 days