How old should you be to stay home alone?

Parents are being warned they could get into trouble if they leave you home alone during the summer holidays.

Part of the problem is there's no clear law that says when it's OK to let you look after yourself for a little while.

So we want to know what you think. How old do you think you should be before your parents can leave you at home while they go out?

Should there be an age limit? Or does it depend on whether you've got older brothers or sisters to help out?

Maybe you think it's fine if they're just nipping to the shops, but not if they'd be leaving you all day.

Unfortunately this topic is now closed but there are Comments pages on other subjects on the main Chat index

Your comments

"I was fine staying at home at 11, but then I went and burnt the plastic on the scales with the toaster, and now I'm not allowed to stay at home by myself."

Ella, 11, Surrey, England

"I think you should be 9+ because we are very sensible and we're not going to open any doors to strangers because we are not stupid like adults treat us like we are."

Ella, 10, London, England

"I think it depends on the person. Some people may be ready at a really young age, whereas some people may take more time to mature. I think it depends on how much the parent/guardian trusts the child they are leaving. You should be at least high school age, though."

Emily, 10, Leeds, England

"I think that if there is no rule to go by why should there be any argument? Parents will decide how to deal with their own children and don't need anyone else interfering. If they know that their child is trustworthy and responsible to be on their own for a few hours then what harm can it do to anyone else?"

Thamasha, 13, London, England

"I think children should be left at home no matter their age if responsible. Grown-ups treat kids aged 12+ like 3-year-olds and this might be the way to treat them suitably for their age."

Emma, 11, London, England

"I think that when you are about 12, you become responsible enough to start looking after yourself. Definitely not under the age of 10; that is far too young."

Tallulah, 12, Somerset, England

"Well, I think you should be at least 11+. But if you're not ready to stay at home by yourself, then just say. If you have to stay in the house all day by yourself then I think you should keep in touch with your parents!"

Lauren, 12, Belfast, Northern Ireland

"I think at 16 you should be allowed to stay at home, as long as you don't mess about and don't go near the gas. But if you don't want to stay at home, you shouldn't be pushed to."

David, 13, Manchester, England

"I think that having a law would be unfair and people would get in trouble a lot because some kids are ready when they are six years old, but others still aren't when they're 14."

Nicola, 12, Waterloo, Canada

"I think you should be over 10 to stay at home alone for a few hours. As long as you keep in touch with your parents you can be alone for a whole day!! I regularly fly long-haul on my own in an aeroplane with no adult accompanying me."

Victoria, 11, Bristol, England

"I think that you should at least be 12+ to stay at home for a couple of hours! But I think that if you are sensible, then you might be able to stay for a few minutes."

Samina, 11, Luton, England

"I think that you should have a practice thing where your parents go to your neighbours before anything. Don't cook, use knives or answer the door, and know your parent's phone number off by heart. Also, don't be in charge of another child until you are at least 12."

Ruth, 8, Epsom, England

"I think you should be in high school as you are old enough to look after yourself by then. If you are younger then you should have an older brother/sister with you, just to make sure you're safe."

Hannah, 12, Stockport, England

"I think as long as they know how to get out in an emergency, and they have a number to call for help, then from 10 years old upwards, it's OK for a few hours."

Ella, 12, Surrey, England

"If you're under the age of 6 you shouldn't be left at home at all. If you're 8+ then it's OK for a few minutes. If you're 11+ then a few hours and no child under 15 should be left alone all day!"

Renee, 11, Ilford, England

"Well, if the child is fully confident in staying in alone and knows about electricity uses and how to use appliances, 10 and over is OK."

Olivia, 10, Lincoln, England

"I think that the minimum age of children being left home alone is changeable depending on how mature the child is. But certainly not younger than 10, and only then for a very short length of time."

Sam, 11, Birmingham, England

"My class thinks that 16 should be the legal age."

Yakya, 8, Bradford, England

"I think it should be up to your parents and depend on how mature you are!"

Claire, 11, Scotland

"I think it all depends on the maturity of the child and whether they are in a fit state to be home alone. In my opinion, there shouldn't be a law as every child is different and in some cases, a 12-year-old can be more mature and sensible than a 16-year-old."

Chloe, 13, Somerset, England

"I think you should be at high school when you are left alone because you become a lot more mature when you go to high school. You grow up a lot and part of growing up is not needing your parents to look after you all the time."

Joanie, 12, Leeds, England

"I think if you've proven yourself responsible and you're over eight you can be left at home. But only for a short trip. You should be 12+ to be left at home for a whole day."

Zohra, 9, London, England

"It depends how long for. A child of 10-12 could be left for up to half an hour, maybe while their parents are just popping out to the shop or to quickly visit someone, but any longer than that and I think the child needs to be in year eight plus [13-14 years old]."

Maisie-Grace, 11, Swindon, England

"Well I'm eleven and I think that children should be allowed home alone from the age of 10+. But it depends on how mature the child is and how well the parents trust them."

Becky, 11, Manchester, England

"I don't think there should be a set age as all children are different. A parent could leave a mature 11-year-old at home, but you wouldn't leave an 11-year-old if he/she was irresponsible and likely to misbehave. It all depends on the child."

Charlotte, 13, Stockport, England

"I think that children should be allowed to be left home when they are 15 or 16. This is because they might have done work experience and that would have helped them mature."

Tasnia, 12, Birmingham, England

"I think it all depends on how much trust your parents have for you, and how mature you are for your age. But personally, I think 10 and below is definitely too young, however responsible you are."

Grace, 12, London, England

"I think that if you are 11+ you can look after yourself for a bit."

Emma, 12, Walsall, England

"About 13-15 years."

Tamzin-Rose, New York, USA

"I think you should be 15 because at that time you are mature."

Tracy, 9, London, England

"My mum leaves me at home sometimes, but only when she's going to the shop."

Nick, 11, Corsham, England

"I think it's all about how mature you are and how safe you feel in the house on your own. A teenager should be able to, though, because you can't keep trailing around after your parents all the time."

Jess, 13, England

"I think you should be 11 or older to stay at home alone for a day."

Kerensa, 12, Beccles, Suffolk

"I think that anyone can stay home alone if their mum or dad trusts them enough. It's not up to the government or what ever to decide what age to stay home and stuff!"

Jodie-Leigh, 11, Eastport, England

"I think you should be 13 and over because you should be responsible at that age but only for at least three hours, if not 15 and over to be left at home at night times."

Rebekah, 13, Australia

"I think that no-one can judge on what age you have to be to stay at home by yourself because only your parents know you best and no-one else, so no-one can make a law on deciding what age you have to stay at home."

Ella, 11, London, England

"I think you should be 14 or over."

Louis, 6, West Kirby, England

"I'm 11 and my mum only lets me stay home alone for around 15 minutes to half an hour, but I think that the parents should be able to do what they think is right with this matter."

Aniela, 11, Cardiff, Wales

"My mum has always said I need to be 12, but that is three years away!! Long time..."

Rosa, 9, London, England

"I think you should be 11 if your parents are only going out to the shops and are leaving you alone for 10 mins, but at least a teenager (13) if you're alone all day."

Lottie, 11, Surrey, England

"I think about 13 to 18."

Lucy, 8, Blackburn, England

"Some of us who are mature get let down by others who are not so I think that we should be allowed."

Toby, 10, Cambridge, England

"I think that in a big city children should be 13-14 years old but in a town 12-13."

Iwan, 9, Penarth, Wales

"I think parents should only leave their children at home if they are 17 or older. It might be all right if they go to the corner shop but not leaving you all day. If you have an older brother then it might be all right. They should prove they are sensible and won't answer the door or phone in case it is a stranger. Kids should never go near the gas or windows."

David, 13, Manchester, England

"I think 13 years old is OK for a few hours during the day; 15 years old if it's on a night time."

Chris, 13, England

"I think it depends of how responsible the kids are. I can stay home alone, but not all night and not with my little sister."

Josie, 14, Sheffield, England

"I think children should be at least 11 because if they're younger then they might not understand what to do."

Laura, 10, Rochdale, England

"I think you should be at least the age of seven before you are allowed to be left alone."

Tom, 6, London, England

"I'm happy to be left in the house by myself. My mum doesn't leave me for any more than 15 minutes but I'd be happy to stay by myself for longer. I'm not allowed to answer the door or the phone unless it's my Mum or Dad phoning; that way no one else knows I'm by myself and they can't try to get in to the house."

Cameron, 10, Scotland

"Personally, I think it's parents who should decide if kids under 16 are allowed to stay home alone. If they're mature enough, then it should be OK, but if there's younger family to watch (like under 10s) then someone at least 16 should stay with them."

Olivia, 14, Hartlepool, England

"When I was, 11 if there was no other option, my mum would leave me to look after my little brothers for a couple of minutes. But now my brother is 11 and she never leaves him in charge when we both pop out for a couple of minutes. I think it all depends on how mature the child is, making it the parents' own judgment."

Charlotte, 13, Cambridge, England

"Parents should be allowed to choose what age because they know us best - no one else."

Sian, 12, Avon, England

"I think if your mum and dad trust you to walk to the shops on your own then you should be allowed to stay home alone!"

Lydia, 13, Essex, England

"I think that as soon as you can care for yourself, e.g. get food, I think you should be able to be left on your own for a short while."

James, 13, London, England

"I think you should be 12 or over. Your parents should trust you and let you stay home alone, obviously with basic house rules such as don't open the door to strangers and keep the house tidy etc."

Alfie, 13, England

"I think 13 years is old enough."

Sumaia, 12, London, England

"I think that you should be at least 10 to stay at home, but not for a long time. And only if you are sensible, but if not then you need to wait until you are until you should be able to stay at home without an adult."

Sarah, 10, England

"I think you should be a teenager to be able to be left at home by yourself. Also, if there are little kids in the house they should be kept with someone older than 15 at least."

Erume, 12, London, England

"I stayed at home when I was in Year 4 and I was fine. My dad and mum look after me well but they wanted me to look after myself."

Alisa, 12, Lancaster, England

"You should be allowed to stay at home but have your neighbours on watch in case something happens."

Charlotte, 9, Cambridgeshire, England

"People should get the chance to grow up on their own instead of their parents trying to protect them too much. I think about 11 years old would be okay for the first time."

Megan, 11, Nottinghamshire, England

"12. Some children under that age could get worried. If you have an older brother or sister who is 16 and over they should be able to look after younger children."

William, 11, Solihull, England

"I think you should let the parents decide. But if a law does come in it should be 12 because I stay on my own."

Rebecca, 12, Leeds, England

"Personally, (and not to be stereotypical) I think it depends on the area. If you live in a low-crime area then it should be about 12, and then in higher crime areas around 14. However, I do think the parents should be the judge of how responsible the child actually is."

Lizzie, 12, England

"I think you MUST be over at least 15 to be left at home alone."

Mary, 8, Birmingham, England

"I don't think its to do with age so much - more to do with maturity and how much you can trust them."

Alex, 13, England

"This is a tricky question to answer because it all depends on different factors in the situation such as long your parents will be out for, whether you have any siblings and so on. I think when you start secondary school you are beginning to mature; however, I don't mean this to be sexist or anything, but it is a known fact that girls mature earlier than boys so you also have to be aware of that!"

Lydia, 13, Enfield, England

"My brother is 13 and he stays at home so I think 13 year olds at home alone is fine. But anybody younger than 13 staying at home is not safe."

Brad, 9, Rotherham, England

"I stay at home for a couple of hours after school without an adult with just my twin and it's always fine. I stay at home with my twin - I don't think my parents would let my stay at home by myself in the holidays, though."

Carla, 13, Newcastle, England

"When my mum goes out shopping she takes my 11-year-old sister with her but she always asks me if I want to go (I refuse all the time, food shopping is boring!!!). I think it depends on whether the child is responsible or not, there are some strange people who throw parties while there parents are away but it all ends up in a terrible mess - they are clearly irresponsible no matter how old they are. I think you should be at least 12 and have no access to dangerous things, e.g. fireworks!"

Stacey, 13, Kent, England

"Probably when you're 12 or 13. I'm NEVER ALLOWED home alone at the moment!"

Laura, 10, England

"I think it depends on how sensible you are or whether you have any siblings you might get into a fight with. But I'm 13 and my parents can leave me alone if they go for an evening out because they know they can trust me."

Lilly, 13, London, England

"I think you should be 15 or over to stay at home for a whole day and 12 for a few hours."

Jenny, 10, Rhyl, Wales

"I don't think that it would be right to put an age limit on leaving kids at home. It all depends on the maturity of he kid and how much the adult trusts them."

Jason, 12, England

"It's not a question of their age but their maturity and responsibility. If you have a six-year-old who's more mature than a 15-year-old, then let the six-year-old stay home alone. I agree that you should be a teen if you're to be left at home OVERNIGHT, however not if it's during the day for a short period of time."

Adam, 13, Burnley, England

"I think it depends on the length of time the parents are away and where they are going. I get left on my own but only when my mum is in the village."

Emily, 12, Fife, Scotland

"I've been left in the house on my own since I was 10 and it's because I'm mature enough to be trusted. It all depends on the individual child in question."

Rebecca, 12, Leicester, England

"Well, I'm 11 and I stayed at home when I was 10 and I was perfectly fine. It depends on the environment you live in and if you can be trusted. It also depends on how long your parents are away for."

Emma, 11, Hertfordshire, England

"I was 10 when I was first home alone and I was fine. I didn't answer the phone if I didn't know the number and I don't answer the door. If i go out or have just got in from school I ring my mum to say I am ok; it settles her mind."

Zoe, 14, Essex, England

"Well, this is what I think. Children between 11 and 12 are only allowed alone for an hour. 13 for three hours, 14 for 6 hrs, 15 for half a day, 16 and over for all day. Once, 17 longer than half a month."

Lily, 10, London, England

"I am 11 and I sometimes stay home on my own. It is only for five to 10 minutes, though."

Adam, 11, Solihull, England

"I am eight and I stay at home on my own and have my own door key. I think it is fine for me to stay at home because I am good."

Matilda, 8, Bristol, England

"I think you should be 14 to stay at home by yourself because at that age you would probably be walking to school by yourself."

Lorraine, 11, Surrey, England

"I think it depends on lots of things. You might leave a 9-year-old home alone if they had an older sibling or you might not leave a 16-year-old home alone in case they had a wild party. It depends on so much but really when you're in secondary school or if you're a mature Year 6 it should be OK."

Clare, 14, England

"I'm 13 and asked my mum and she said I couldn't stay home alone she said I had to be another year older. So I say 14 years old."

Paris, 13, Crewe, England

"Well, I'm 13 and my parents only ever leave me if they are just quickly going somewhere, but never for over an hour. Also, they bring the mobile so if anything happens, I just call! I think parents shouldn't leave their children for more than two or three hours if they are under 14."

Amy, 13, France

"I think you should be 12 to stay at home for over an hour but I think you should be 15 to be able to stay on your own if your parents are out in the night-time."

Rosie, 13, London, England

"I was left alone practically every day in the past two years, and I survived just fine! I think it's perfectly all right to be left alone at home if you're at least 10 years old."

Julie, 13, Edinburgh, Scotland

"Your parents should get to say, not the government."

Michael, 10, Hull, England

"Staying alone all depends on who the person is and what the person staying alone is going to do. If the adult decides that the child can stay on his/her own, it is then the child's choice because they might be scared."

Sophia, 11, Cambridge, England

"I think you should be 11 because I started going out alone then so why not stay at home alone then?"

Molly, 13, London, England

"I think that if anyone wants to stay at home they should be at least 12 and prove that they are mature enough to stay at home alone and then maybe their parents will trust them in future to baby-sit or something!"

Kate, 11, Sheffield, England

"I would just say you should be in secondary school or with someone in secondary."

Samantha, 13, Dorset, England

"You should be able to be alone at home at the age of 13 because otherwise if you are younger then you might be scared that your parents aren't going to come home. If you are older then you will understand."

Maria, 10, Worcester, England

"I think it depends on too much to make a clear law stating an exact age. You get some nine year olds who are quite mature and happy enough to stay at home. However, you get some fifteen year olds who would tear a house apart if left alone. It also depends on how long the parent is away, what sort of house they live in, who their neighbours are etc."

Molly, 12, London, England

"I think that kids should stay at home on their own at the age of 12 or over. If it's under, they might get hurt and no-one will be in the house, so no-one will know. But if your parents trust you you should be allowed!"

Tiffany, 12, Manchester, England

"I think there shouldn't be a limit as long as the kid feels safe home alone, as one of my friends hardly ever gets left at home and so in that way she isn't as responsible as other kids that get left alone more frequently."

Louise, 12, Woking, England

"I think you should be 16 or over. It's the best age to look after yourself."

Molly, 9, Belfast, Northern Ireland

"I think that kids at the age of 10 or 11 who live in a small town maybe could be left home alone. But if they live in a big city then maybe at 12 to 13."

Emily, 12, Inverness, Scotland

"I think it is alright to leave a kid alone for a few hours when they're 12. If the parents want to go somewhere overnight they should be 15."

Grace, 12, Gloucester, England

"I think you should be at least 10 to stay home alone."

Rebecca, 10, West Sussex, England

"Sensible children over 10 years old should be able to be left on their own for a maximum of 2 hours."

Jamie, 11, London, England

"I think that it should be any age over 10 if their parents trust them."

Rebecca, 10, near Fife, Scotland

"I think you should be over 13."

Amy, 13, Cowes, England

"I think that it is really up to you and your parents, as they will be able to decide judge how sensible and mature you are. I think that the child should DEFINITELY be comfortable with being left alone though, as it is not fair on them to have to sit at home worrying and be scared about being alone."

Cara, 12, Glasgow, Scotland

"I stay at home on my own and I am 11 in a month. I only stay for under half an hour."

Emily, 10, Bristol, England

"I think that over 12s should be left at home but I think they should go to like a self-defence class before, so if anyone breaks in they know what to do."

Chloe, 12, Torquay, England

"I think the least age you should be left on your own is around 13."

Beth, 14, Preston, England

"Me and my sister are left at home quite a lot. She is 14, but we are left at home, because our mum can trust us, and if anyone breaks in, we have a Rottweiler."

Jacqueline, 12, Staffordshire, England

"Well I think 11 is old enough but you should have like another brother or sister with you."

Josie, 12, Thailand

"It doesn't depend on their age, it depends if the parent trusts the child or not. I've been left on my own since about 10 and I've always been fine."

Millie, 13, Wolverhampton, England

"I think it should be when you start secondary because that's when you start feeling older and you should be treated older and it will be a great opportunity."

Ellie, 12, Salisbury, England

"I think you should be about 12, but if it's for a long time like a day or more maybe about 14 because at that age you are able to do things for yourself."

Anna, 14, Canterbury, England

"I think you should be 14 as you have been a teenager and should be responsible."

Danielle, 13, Ramsgate, England

"I think children who are 12 should be allowed to stay home alone, that is the most common age for most things."

Tara, 11, Glasgow, Scotland

"I think it should be when both the child and parent feel comfortable about it, within reason e.g. when they are five is unacceptable."

Emma, 14, Kent, England

"I think it really depends how mature you are. If you are 10 but very mature you can be allowed to stay at home by yourself, you could be 14 but immature and you should have an adult with you."

Jahanara, 10, London, England

"You should be 12 unless you're a sensible 11-year-old, like me."

Ben, 11, Stockton-on-Tees, England

"I think the age children can stay home alone should be 10 or 11 because you should be sensible at that age and know what to do if there's a problem. If not then adults should just find a sensible adult to baby-sit."

Chloe, 10, London, England

"I think it depends on how long you're on your own for, but I think you should be at least 11."

Tasia, 9, Nottingham, England

"I think you should be 14 because then you're smart enough to know exactly what to do if something happens."

Hannah, 10, Paisley, Scotland

"I think that you should be at least 14 to stay at home alone."

Charlotte, 9, North Yorkshire, England

"I think that 12 is the right age for kids to be left alone. Mature 11 year olds could be left for a bit I suppose, but 12 is the right age for kids to be trusted."

Hannah, 12, York, England

"I think you should at least be a teenager."

Isabelle, 11, Greater London, England

"I think you should be allowed to stay on your own at home at the age of 13 because you are a teen and old enough to look after yourself."

Charley, 13, Birmingham, England

"I think children should definitely not stay at home by themselves."

Michael, 11, Wandsworth, England

"It's really just common sense. I don't think it depends entirely on the child's age. The parents should know how mature their child is, and if they'd be comfortable at home alone. A 12-year-old could be more mature than a 15-year-old."

Peter, 12, Lisburn, Northern Ireland

"I think it depends on how responsible or irresponsible a child is to know when they're ready to stay home alone."

Samira, 10, London, England

"I think you should be left home alone when you are 16 years old. I think that is a sensible age, a younger age would be too dangerous to be left home alone!"

Jimmy, 10, London, England

"I think children at the age of 12 and over should be able to stay at home but maybe not at night because it would be more dangerous at night then day."

Danii, 12, Northolt, England

"I think that teenagers should be allowed to stay home alone. But if it's only 10 minutes, I think 11 and 12 years olds can stay alone."

Victoria, 11, Bristol, England

"I think if your parents are just leaving you for up to about half an hour to an hour then it's fine from about 10 or 11 ish, but if it's a long time I think 13."

Rebekah, 12, Isle of Wight

"I think that you should be at least 12 or over to be left at home alone if your parent are just nipping to the shops. If they are leaving you there for the whole day, you should be at least 14. The older you are, the better."

Chloe, 11, Lancaster, England

"I think you should be 13 to stay at home by yourself because that's when you become a real teenager."

Daniel, 9, Reading, England

"Kids should be at least 12 or over to be able to stay home alone. But the problem is that it really depends on how long the child is alone for and how responsible they are."

Holly, 13, London, England