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Q: How old does my child have to be before I can leave him or her alone at home?

A: Patrick Carey is the Oregon Department of Human Services district manager for Central Oregon. He has two children.

Carey says there is no black-and-white answer.

Oregon law defines child neglect in the second degree as: with criminal negligence, leaving a child younger than 10 years of age unattended at any place for a period of time that may endanger the health or welfare of the child. Carey says this is the only law in Oregon that addresses the subject, and says while it does mention the age a child should be before being left home alone, it does not provide a clear-cut, definitive answer.

“It’s so subjective,” Carey said. “It’s something we struggle with here on a regular basis.”

Carey says there are numerous factors to consider. The maturity level of your child is an obvious one. However, even if your child seems mature enough and is able to follow directions, plenty of unanticipated events could happen while you are away — everything from a neighbor coming to the door, to the smoke detectors going off, to your child having some sort of accident.

“Things can come up, and because of a lack of life experience, kids will have no idea what to do,” Carey said.

Parents should also consider how long they are leaving the child alone.

“Leaving an 8-year-old home alone for three minutes is probably going to be OK,” Carey said. “But an 8-year-old with a different maturity level — maybe not.”

If you plan to leave your child at home alone, make sure that it’s for brief periods — at most, a few hours, Carey said. One issue parents might not consider is how being home alone affects the child. Some children may be more prone to anxiety, and being alone for long periods of time may cause stress that can have long-term effects, Carey said.

Carey also said that he’s seen many instances where a child is left alone with the responsibility of taking care of younger siblings.

“Parents not only need to consider the safety aspects, but also consider how much they are burdening the child,” he said. “If something happens to a younger sibling while they were watching them, it could stay with them the rest of their lives.”

Kids are naturally curious, and may take the opportunity of being alone to investigate things they are normally prohibited from, such as matches, lighters, or firearms, Carey said.

Carey acknowledges that with the current state of the economy, many parents struggle to pay for child care. Carey recommends forming a baby-sitting group with other trusted parents in the area.

Carey says he was reluctant to leave his own children home alone until they were at least 12 years old, and even then, he says he tried to find other alternatives.

“So many things could happen and you just can’t predict everything,” Carey said.

Parents who are unsure about whether or not to leave their child alone can call the child abuse screening hotline at 541-693-2700 to learn more.