SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --
If you are a parent who is facing the decision of
having to leave their child home alone, try to find someone they trust to watch
them, or pay for child care, you are probably wondering: At what age is it
appropriate to leave a child home alone?
The first thing to do is remember Safety first, and
providing proper supervision of children is the number one thing we can do to
keep children safe. With that being
said, in Texas, there is no law that specifies an age that children may be left
alone at home. However, according to
Texas Department of Family and Child Protective Services, “an adult caregiver
is accountable for the child’s care and inadequate supervision can be a type of
neglect (neglectful supervision).” Neglectful
supervision is defined as “placing a child in or failing to remove a child from
a situation that a reasonable person would realize requires judgment or actions
beyond the child’s level of maturity, physical condition, or mental abilities
and that results in bodily injury or substantial risk of immediate harm to the
child.” (Texas
Department of Family and Protective Services, n.d.) Unfortunately 75 percent of all confirmed
child victims of abuse or neglect in 2011 were because of Neglectful
Supervision. (Texas
Department of Family and Protective Services, n.d.)
So, how do I know if I can leave my child home by
him/herself?
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
asks that you take the following into consideration:
-
How old, emotionally
mature, and capable is your child?
-
What is the layout and
safety of the home, play area, or other setting?
-
What are the hazards and
risks in the neighborhood?
-
What is your child's
ability to respond to illness, fire, weather, or other types of emergencies?
-
Does your child have a
mental, physical, or medical disability?
-
How many children are
being left unsupervised?
-
Do they know where you
are?
-
Can they contact you or
other responsible adults?
-
How long and how often is
the child (or children) left alone?
Now
if you live in the Freedom Estates housing area, across from the Sheppard
Hospital Gate, you do have rules and regulations in regards to leaving your
child at home unsupervised and are held to those standards. You may reference
the residence guide (pg. 25-26) online at www.sheppardafbhomes.com.
Please
see below for the guidelines for Freedom Estates in regards to leaving your child
unsupervised for any period of time:
HOME
ALONE
Residents are
responsible for the safeguard and control of all family members.
1. Supervision is
necessary for the protection, care, and management of children and youth. The safety
and well-being of children and youth is a priority.
2. Parents are held
accountable for their decisions regarding their child’s/children’s supervision
and any misconduct by juveniles/adolescents. The following provide the
standards for the supervision of children and youth on Sheppard Air Force Base:
a. No
child, 5 years or younger, will be left unattended at any time.
b.
Children, 6-9 years of age, will not be left alone at any time but may be
permitted to play outside as long as a responsible adult provides direct
supervision
c.
Children, 10-11 years of age may be left unattended during the day for periods
not to exceed two hours.
d.
Children, 12 years of age, may be left unattended during the day and in the
early evenings not to exceed four hours. Children this age may also care for
younger siblings during the same four-hour period.
e.
Children, 13-15 years of age, may be left unattended during the day or evening
hours not to exceed eight hours. Children this age may care for younger
children other than their own siblings during this time for up to 8 hours.
f.
Children, 16 years of age and older, may be left unattended, to include
overnight. Children this age may also babysit younger siblings during this
time.
We recommend that all
childcare providers, whether attending younger children in their own home or
another resident’s home, be at least thirteen (13) years of age and have
completed the Red Cross Babysitting Course or similar course whose curriculum
has been approved by Child Youth Services (CYS) or Family Child Care Office,
676-2038.
Additionally, we
recommend that adolescent baby sitters not watch more than two children at one
time with no more than one of these children being under the age of two years.
Residents will ensure
that their children respect and do not damage private property. Fireworks, air
rifles, pellet guns, paintball guns and all firearms will not be discharged
anywhere within the community.
There
are also Juvenile Curfew regulations as well which can be found on page 26 of
the Residence Guide:
Any child eighteen
(18) years and younger will not be in a public place on Sheppard Air Force Base
from the period of Sunday-Thursday, 2300 to 0600, and Friday 0001-0600.
For the purpose of this
policy, a public place is defined as any location other than a resident’s own
home and yard or the home and yard where resident is an invited guest.
There is no curfew
violation if the child was in a public place during the established curfew
hours and is:
Accompanied by a
parent or legal guardian.
Accompanied by an
adult at least twenty-one (21) years old and with parental or legal guardian
permission.
Attending a school,
religious, community, government-sponsored or work activity. This includes the
travel to and from the activity and travel during the activity (i.e. newspaper
carriers).
In a public place as
a result or parental direction or to make an emergency errand (i.e. seeking
medical assistance).
On the sidewalk
abutting his or her on-base home or abutting the residence of a next door
neighbor, provided that the next door neighbor does not object to the minor’s
presence.
The juvenile is attending an official function. The curfew for
such juveniles begins one half hour after the official termination of such
events.
Please keep in mind that everyone is responsible in making sure children are
safe. If you suspect any child abuse or neglect, please notify the proper
authorities.
CPS: Abuse and Neglect Hotline
at 1-800-252-5400
Family Advocacy: 940-676-2271
*If after hours
call command post @ 940-676-6226
WFPD: 940-761-7792 or 940-720-5000
In an emergency situation, call 911
immediately.