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How old does a child have to be to stay home alone in Oregon?

Oregon does put an age in law, and it covers children under 10. What the law says, and its source, is below.

In law

The rule in Oregon

It is a crime (child neglect in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor) for someone with custody of a child under 10 to leave the child unattended, with criminal negligence, for a period likely to endanger the child’s health or welfare.

Source: Oregon Revised Statutes, ORS 163.545 (Child neglect in the second degree)

Checked October 15, 2026. Laws change, and this isn’t legal advice: your local child protection office can tell you how they see it.

What safety experts suggest, by age

Wherever you live, the Canada Safety Council’s guide is a useful yardstick. It suggests not leaving a child alone before 10, and then building up slowly:

AgeHow long, at most
Under 10Not alone
10–12Up to two hours, with a responsible adult nearby
13–14Up to five hours, with an adult reachable by phone
15–16A whole day, with a parent reachable by phone

Age is only half of it. A child who wants to, follows rules when you’re out, stays calm when something goes wrong and can always reach an adult is ready sooner than one who isn’t. Our guide to how old a child should be to stay home alone has a readiness checklist and how to set up the after-school routine.

The days that don’t fit the routine

Home alone after school works until it doesn’t: a sore throat, an early dismissal, practice across town at 4:30. Those are the days nobody thinks about cover until 2:45. In Kid Pickup you post the pickup, someone in your circle taps I’ll do it, and if nobody has it the app sends you a nudge with time to sort it out.

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FAQ

Questions about Oregon

What is the legal age to stay home alone in Oregon?

Oregon does put an age in law, and it covers children under 10. It is a crime (child neglect in the second degree, a Class A misdemeanor) for someone with custody of a child under 10 to leave the child unattended, with criminal negligence, for a period likely to endanger the child’s health or welfare.

Can a 10-year-old stay home alone in Oregon?

Oregon’s law is about children under 10, so it doesn’t settle it for a 10-year-old. Safety guidance from the Canada Safety Council suggests not before 10, and then for up to about two hours, with a responsible adult nearby.

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