Parents who leave their children home alone are breaking the law and may face two years in jail, according to the UAE Penal Code.

It states: "A parent who fails to provide his or her children, younger than 15 years of age, with adequate care and attention endangers their lives.

"This offence carries a prison term of two years and the penalty will be tougher if a child is actually harmed because he or she is left home unsupervised."

Hussain Mohammad Hussain, a Dubai-based legal consultant, said the offence occurs just by leaving children unsupervised, regardless of whether they are hurt or not.

"It is a criminal case and, therefore, parents can be sued by anybody who witnesses it. The victim can sue his or her parent or can be a witness."

Many working parents contacted by Gulf News felt the situation was beyond their control.

Nawal Mahmoud, an executive secretary and a mother of two children aged 7 and 9, said she had to leave them home alone when she was at work or had other commitments.

"I am divorced and I am unable to hire a housemaid or a babysitter to look after the children while I am away. What can I do?"

Another mother said the high cost of living forces many parents to do things they are not happy about.

"Leaving children unattended is a grave mistake I and many other parents commit. We have plenty on our plates to worry about exorbitant property rents, high school fees and the rising cost of living, to mention a few," she said.

A Gulf News reader said it was a matter of concern for parents who were both employed in the private sector to find alternative care for their children when there is a public holiday for schools and government organisations but not for the private sector.

She suggested that working mothers should be allowed to work flexible hours or take leave on half pay on such days.

"Authorities should take action to ensure children are not left alone at home on such holidays," said Sunita Misra, an Abu Dhabi-based psychologist.

She said children matured differently but those younger than 12 should not be left home alone.

"Just as you teach your children the ABCs, you should teach them how to stay home alone. You have to repeat instructions because they will not learn in one go and you have got to be careful.

"Parents should set firm rules, which can be in the form of a checklist, making clear what children are allowed to do and what they are not allowed. They should, however, stay in touch.

"Call your children throughout the period you are away to ask how they are and what they are doing. Keep children connected.

"Post important numbers by the telephone, including parent's work and mobile phone numbers, the doctor's clinic and a neighbour or a nearby relative who can help the children in emergencies," she said.

Misra said parents should not leave their children home unsupervised without ensuring they can follow instructions properly, can stay home alone without being afraid and can handle unexpected situations without panicking.

"Once parents feel comfortable leaving their children home unsupervised, they should discuss it with them and start practising what they should and should not do and prepare them for anything that might occur when they are not around," she said.

Asked to comment on whether working mothers should be allowed to work flexible hours or take leave on half pay when there is a public holiday for schools but not for the private sector, Misra said working mothers should find alternative care if they have to leave their children home alone.

"They can work from home or take leave. Another option is that companies may open for a while during these days," the psychologist said.

Checklist

  • A psychologist says children below the age of 12 should not be left home alone.
  • Just like you teach your children other things, they should be taught how to stay home alone.
  • Parents must make sure their children can follow instructions properly before leaving them alone at home.
  • Parents should repeat instructions because children will not learn in one go.
  • To have a fairly foolproof system, parents can give checklists to their children to go through.
  • Children should be clearly told what they can do and what they cannot do when they are home alone.
  • Parents should stay in touch with children at regular intervals throughout the period when they are alone at home.
  • Post important numbers by the telephone, including parents' work and mobile phone numbers, the doctor's clinic and a neighbour or a nearby relative who can help them in case of emergencies.
  • Once the parents feel comfortable leaving their children home unsupervised they should discuss it with them and start practising what they should and should not do and prepare them for anything that might occur when they are not around.