What is the legal age when a child may be left home alone?
Although there is no age specified in juvenile code that addresses the age a child may be left home alone, North Carolina fire code (G.S. ยง 14-318) states that a child under the age of eight shall not be left alone without appropriate supervision due to the risk of danger by fire. Parents and caretakers must look at the child’s maturity, the safety of the community, and access to emergency assistance. A child may be mature enough to stay alone, but not to care for younger siblings. If you are concerned that a child is left alone and is unsafe, call your county department of social services.
