St. Cloud Police Chief Offers Tips for Kids to Be Safe at Home Alone After School

(KNSI) — With school officially back in session across Minnesota this week, local law enforcement has some reminders to keep underage kids safe at home until parents get home from work.

St. Cloud Police Chief Jeff Oxton told KNSI News his best advice is to have a plan to put kids on a routine. “I think the biggest thing is structure for those kids. So, that when they get home, maybe every day, they automatically will call their parents and check in. So, if that call doesn’t come and they don’t check in as soon as they get home, somebody’s going to go check on them.”

He also advises having some things outlined for who to call if there’s a problem so that they can easily know who to contact if something happens. The doors to the house should always be locked, and kids should never answer the door for strangers. It’s also a good idea for kids to leave the stove alone.

Oxton believes that adult supervision after school is the best plan but understands that it’s not always an option. “We know that parents have to work, and the kids sometimes have that gap time. So I think all the things we talked about are good ways to do it safely and let life get on its way, so that we can be healthy and happy families.”

Minnesota state statute deems children under eight unsuitable for being left alone for any amount of time. Kids eight to ten can be left alone for up to three hours and those 11 to 13 for up to 12 hours. These guidelines are “intended for healthy, mature children and should be followed to ensure their safety while their parents are away.”

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