Pregnancy & Parenting

At what age can a child stay home alone and how to prepare them and the home

As parents, you likely face many decisions that every parent must make. One of them is: when can a child be left without adult supervision?

Under Israeli law, it is illegal to leave a child under age 6 without appropriate supervision. This applies even if the child behaves maturely and responsibly for their age and can take care of themselves or younger siblings. Despite this, they are still children. Therefore, under age 6, do not leave a baby or child home alone, even for a short time.

Later on, when it becomes appropriate to leave a child home alone, use judgment and do it gradually. Start with a short time and slowly increase the amount of time they stay alone.

We are in a time of war. In this situation, children — and you — may feel increased alertness and stress. Take this into account when deciding whether to leave children alone.

When can a child stay home alone during wartime

During wartime, we may need to go to a safe room or shelter. This is not simple and is not suitable for young children alone. Safe room doors are heavy. Sometimes reaching shelter requires leaving the house and locking it. These actions are difficult under stress and anxiety, especially for children.

All children and teens need a sense of safety and protection during emergencies, especially during sirens. It is best not to leave them without an adult. If they do remain alone, coordinate in advance what they should do in different situations, how they can contact you, and who nearby they can turn to if needed.

• Up to age 6: It is illegal to leave a child unsupervised.
• Ages 6–9: It is strongly recommended not to leave them alone, even if they show responsibility and maturity. They may not be able to close a safe room door, lock the house, or manage sirens and reaching shelter.
• Ages 9–12: They may stay alone for short periods (up to two hours). However, tasks such as closing the safe room or going to shelter without you are challenging. Check with yourself and your child whether they can handle this. Make sure they clearly know all steps and that you are accessible in a way they understand. Giving them a personal item to keep with them may help them feel your supportive presence.
• Age 12 and older: They may stay alone for longer periods. However, in complex wartime situations, the same cautions that apply to younger children still apply.

At any age, do not leave a child alone for the first time during wartime. If they are already used to staying alone, increase your absence gradually. For example, leave for 15 minutes the first time, then an hour the next time, and so on.

Conditions for leaving a child home alone

• Make sure they can handle basic needs such as eating, drinking, and keeping themselves occupied.
• Review safety rules and set clear, agreed-upon guidelines.
• Talk with your child about how to respond to emergencies such as sirens and going to a safe room or shelter, power outages, fire, or knocks at the door.

Preparation before leaving a child home alone

• Agreement and expectations: At any age, the child staying home alone should be agreed upon after a conversation, setting expectations, and advance preparation.
• Food: Leave a ready-to-eat meal, preferably one that does not require heating.
• Safety measures: Install smoke detectors and leave emergency phone numbers in an accessible place.
• Communication: Make sure your child knows how to contact you. Practice together at home how to respond to different situations, especially emergencies such as sirens, power outages, fire, or knocks at the door.
• Safe environment: Turn off the gas valve before leaving the house. The home should always be safe for children. Make sure there are no hazards, that the path to the safe room or shelter is safe and familiar, and that dangerous devices and toxic substances are stored out of reach. Install smoke detectors, leave emergency phone numbers accessible, and confirm your child knows whom to call if needed.
• Rules of behavior: Set clear rules about what is allowed and not allowed when parents are not home.
• Internet safety: Remind children about safe behavior online.

In addition, prepare a backup plan in case your child changes their mind. For example, neighbors who will be home while your child is alone, or trusted adults nearby who can come to your home if needed.

How to know if an older sibling is mature enough to supervise younger siblings

During wartime, children should only be left with someone mature enough to manage full responsibility, usually older teens. Make sure older siblings feel capable and confident taking on this responsibility.

Guide the older sibling and prepare them appropriately:

• Conversation: Explain the responsibility involved in caring for younger siblings. Acknowledge their maturity and praise their willingness.
• Safety: Ensure the home is safe for children of all ages and instruct the older sibling on what to do in emergencies.
• Guidance: Teach the older sibling what younger children are allowed and not allowed to do, emphasizing age differences.
• Encouragement: Encourage siblings to play together. Clearly instruct the older sibling that younger children must never be left unsupervised — not even for a moment.

Important: Children and teens who regularly babysit should take a first aid course for youth through Magen David Adom.

More information on supervising younger siblings