Anderson Injury Lawyers | March 5, 2025 | Personal Injury
It can be challenging to manage childcare and work responsibilities. Many people lack support networks that enable them to deal with a last-minute emergency or sick child. Paying for an expensive daycare or babysitter can deflate the family’s income. If you’re considering leaving your kids to stay at home alone – whether on a one-time basis or part of your new routine, here is what you should know.
Texas Law on Kids Staying Home Alone
Texas law does not specify the exact age at which a child can legally be left alone. Instead, the situation can be determined on a case-by-case basis. According to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, adequate supervision is critical to keeping children safe, and an adult caregiver is accountable for a child’s care. Inadequate supervision can be considered neglectful supervision.
Factors That Can Affect Whether a Child Should Be Left Home Alone
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services recommends considering the following factors to determine the level of supervision a particular child needs:
- Your child’s age, emotional maturity, and capabilities
- Whether your child has a mental, physical, or medical disability
- Your neighborhood
- Your child’s ability to respond to emergencies and other situations that could arise
- Whether your child knows where you are and how to contact you
- The number of children left unsupervised
- Whether your child can contact you or other responsible adults
- The length of time your child will be left alone
- The layout and safety of your home or other environment the child will be
Under the law, it is important to consider all factors together to decide whether it is appropriate to allow your child to be home alone.
Safety Tips Before Leaving Your Child Home Alone
If you have decided your child is old enough and mature enough to stay home alone, preparing is the best way to begin leaving your child at home.
Some safety tips that can help this transition include:
- Talk to your child about what to do in different situations.
- Pose “what if” scenarios and role play them.
- Write down all your contact information. Have your child memorize it.
- Give detailed instructions about what to do if someone comes to the door or calls on the phone.
- Invest in safety technology.
- Establish clear rules regarding what your child can do while alone.
- Provide emergency contact information for someone else if they can’t reach you.
- Enroll your child in a safety class, such as those offered by the Red Cross, if they will be responsible for watching younger children.
You may also want to give your child a test run in which you leave them alone for a short period of time before you leave them alone for more extended periods.
Alternatives to Leaving Your Child Home Alone
If it’s not quite time for your child to begin spending time alone, you might be able to explore other options in your area. Besides designated schools and daycares, you may be able to enroll your child in an after-school program, sport, club, or other organization where they can be properly supervised. Community centers, Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA centers, and similar organizations may be another option. Some neighborhoods create babysitter pools to rotate childcare between responsible adults.
Contact Us If Your Child Is Injured in Someone Else’s Care
If your child was injured while under someone else’s care or on someone else’s property, you may have the right to pursue financial compensation against the party responsible for their injuries. Contact a personal injury lawyer from Anderson Injury Lawyers for a free consultation.
Contact Our Personal Injury Law Firm in Texas
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Fort Worth or Dallas and need legal help, contact our personal injury lawyers at Anderson Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation. We proudly serve Tarrant County, Dallas County, and throughout Texas.
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office
1310 W El Paso St, Fort Worth, TX 76102
(817) 294-1900
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Fort Worth Office (Secondary)
6618 Fossil Bluff Dr # 108, Fort Worth, TX 76137
(817) 631-4113
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office
408 W Eighth St Suite 202, Dallas, TX 75208
(214) 327-8000
Anderson Injury Lawyers – Dallas Office (Secondary)
6301 Gaston Ave suite 820, Dallas, TX 75214
(469) 457-4711
