The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
An article which appeared in The Reminder last month entitled Staying Safe, made reference to what was the earliest age to allow a child to stay at home alone. The age suggested in the Canada Safety Council article was 10 years old. However, Anne Danis, Area Manager for Northern Region (Flin Flon) of Manitoba Family Services and Housing, notes that the law in Manitoba is for the child to be at least 12 years old before being left at home alone. She also added that, even if the child is 12, the maturity level of the young person still needs to be carefully assessed by the parent or guardian. Canada Safety Council news releases are often geared for a more general, cross-country audience and they encourage people to check with their provincial representatives to clarify what the situation may be in their home province. If anyone has further questions regarding this topic, they are welcome to contact Manitoba Family Services and Housing in Flin Flon at 687-1700.
