“You want to make sure the house is as safe as possible,” says Smith, who recommends good locks on doors and an answering machine so kids don`t have to answer the phone and let people know they`re home alone. Pack explained that they will refer all complaints related to children to child and family services and will help as needed to help in difficult situations. Cooper went on to say that when a member of the public is concerned about a child being left alone, “the situation is assessed and determined whether the child or children are considered to require intervention.” According to the National Post, the interrogation dissolved the mother in tears and because an investigation took place, a file was created for the family. The Post said the children are two, five and 10 years old. The situation flared up when a neighbour reported the situation. Ontario`s Child and Family Services Act states that a child under the age of 16 cannot be left unattended “without making arrangements appropriate in the circumstances for the supervision and care.” Every year, thousands of parents and guardians ask Child Safety Canada this question. The age at which children can be left home alone for reasonable periods of time varies by province, ranging from 10 to 12 years of age. No child under the age of 10 should be left alone for a period of time. Canada`s Wonderland in Toronto is not age-neutral for children enjoying the amusement park without parents, but a spokesperson said that if a child looks “unreasonably young” to be alone, “staff will step in to ask if they`re lost, if a parent is nearby; If this is not the case, we will take steps to contact a parent or guardian to ensure the child`s safety. Lewis Smith, communications coordinator for the Canada Safety Council, says his organization is receiving more and more inquiries about leaving children alone at home following high-profile legal cases like a recent B.C. decision. In that case, a court found that an eight-year-old child was too young to be left home alone after school. “The most notable case is in Alberta where a father specifically asked if his 11-year-old son could be left home alone for three hours after school; The court said children under the age of 12 should not be left unattended by their parents during parental leave,” the report said, noting that the case took place in 2014.
Being able to be alone at home is a process that should be initiated through gradual and supervised phases. In addition to these expectations, it is the responsibility of all parents/guardians to assess the risks and benefits to the child and to make a responsible and safe decision about when the child can safely stay home alone. Alberta`s Child, Youth, and Family Enhancement Act states that if a child`s safety is compromised when left home alone, that child may be considered neglected. This neglect would be determined by assessing how long the child is left alone, maturity, knowledge, responsibilities, available resources, length of rest, frequency and degree of isolation while left alone. Child protection intervention can occur when a child is left for an extended period of time, when a child is not mature enough to act responsibly in an emergency situation, or when the child has been left home alone without formal or informal home safety skills. It is the parents` responsibility to ensure that the child has the skills and resources to respond appropriately to an emergency. The home must be minimally risky as it is safe and secure, and the child must have access to a reliable telephone, emergency contacts and support, and a basic first aid kit. Canadian parents may still be juggling arrangements for a single week of vacation in March, but it will soon be time to decide how to keep their kids busy all summer.
In the summer, Smith recommends good blinds to control the temperature when there is no air conditioning. The Canada Safety Council also strongly advises children against using unsupervised trampolines or pools. At a time when parents are obsessed with safety, there are many rules and laws that govern what children can and cannot do without supervision – even the age that legally defines a child varies from province to province. What is done in practice may be very different from what is officially mandated, but it is always useful to know the rules. And it`s always best to ask. From flying alone to babysitting, here`s how kids can be independent without their parents in different parts of the country: This is a major source of parental confusion about age and the circumstances under which children can be left unattended. There is no legal age for children to become babysitters in Canada, and it is not uncommon for them to start as early as age 12. The Canadian Red Cross offers a child care course for children aged 11 to 15, a program focused on child care, first aid, injury prevention, leadership and business skills. Assuming children are mature enough to take care of themselves at home, child psychologist Catherine Horvath sees no fundamental problem with leaving them home alone in moderation. However, she recommends giving children a structure and routine and, if possible, having the opportunity to have contact with their peers. Morrongiello also warns that older children caring for younger siblings without guidelines can lead to an increased risk of injury to the younger child. She recommends clarifying that the older brother is the boss.
“Being home alone is not an event, but a process!” Being home alone should be a process that is initiated in gradual, supervised phases.