Leaving Your Kids Home Alone In Iowa This Summer? Here’s How Old They Have To Be

Ah summer, the time of the year when a lot of kids learn about being home alone.

Some kids can be scared to be left home alone, some embrace it, and as an adult, being home alone for just a bit is a privilege.

Summers aren’t easy for parents. Daycare is expensive but someone has to watch the kids while you’re at work during the day. And if you don’t have family that lives close by to help, your options are even more limited.

So what do you do if you know your kid on the cusp of being able to hold the fort down themselves? What consequences could you suffer if something even small happens while you’re gone.

Iowa’s Home Alone Law

Whereas Illinois has one of the nation’s highest minimum home alone ages, Iowa is a bit more lax.

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services told TODAY that Iowa doesn’t have a minimum age for kids to be left home alone. Like a lot of states, it’s up to the parents’ discretion as to whether or not their kid is ready.

Here’s the wording from Iowa DHS:

Iowa Code does not define a specific age that determines when a child can be left at home alone. There are a variety of factors that should play into that decision, including, but not limited to age, capability, functioning level, ability, etc.

While the call is yours, the National Safekids Campaign recommends no kids under the age of 12 be left home alone. Of course, make sure your kid knows what to do: calling 911 in case of an emergency, fire danger, what to do if a stranger comes to the door, and it’s suggested to start them out in small amounts of time home alone and expand it as they get more comfortable.

But if something happens to the kid while they’re home alone that shows you put them in harm’s way, then you could get in trouble for child neglect or child abuse.

We shan’t forget about the Iowa mom who left her young kids home alone while she globetrotted off to Germany.