British ministers urged to issue guidance on unattended children.

[Mr Gray]

Possibly yes. If people hear on TV that there is a new law making it illegal to leave kids under 4 at home alone, it will reduce the number of people who do so. In both those UK cases the child would have been unhurt if the parent had not gone out.

playing devils advocate the two cases quoted by you are 10 and 22 months....the only children hurt in recent history...why have you set your law at 4

[Alfred R Jones]

Possibly yes. If people hear on TV that there is a new law making it illegal to leave kids under 4 at home alone, it will reduce the number of people who do so. In both those UK cases the child would have been unhurt if the parent had not gone out.

One of those women went to jail anyway so how would a new law have made any difference to her behaviour?  Do you seriously think the woman who abandoned her kids to fly to Australia would not have done so if a new law was passed making it illegal to leave young kids alone?

[Mr Gray]

One of those women went to jail anyway so how would a new law have made any difference to her behaviour?  Do you seriously think the woman who abandoned her kids to fly to Australia would not have done so if a new law was passed making it illegal to leave young kids alone?

I think she would have still gone and paid the 60 pound fine

[pegasus]

You can argue against any law by saying some people will do it whether its illegal or not.

[pegasus]

playing devils advocate the two cases quoted by you are 10 and 22 months....the only children hurt in recent history...why have you set your law at 4

Because of a naive assumption that that no-one would claim that is too high.

[stephen25000]

the idoit is back...2 cases in 5 years...proves my point

You said these things don't happen.

They do.

By the way, try using spell checker or the equivalent  when you type such words as  'idoit'        

 

[Mr Gray]

Because of a naive assumption that that no-one would claim that is too high.

so your law would not apply to 5 yr olds

[slartibartfast]

Possibly yes. If people hear on TV that there is a new law making it illegal to leave kids under 4 at home alone, it will reduce the number of people who do so. In both those UK cases the child would have been unhurt if the parent had not gone out.

...and people who hear on TV that it is within the bounds etc etc etc, will to notice of that too. Not good.

[pegasus]

so your law would not apply to 5 yr olds

I gave a low example to encourage debate.
Stating a specific age is difficult because whatever age is chosen it would sort of imply its ok over that age which it may not be.
IMO some well researched and well written official guidelines with a large publicity drive (TV and newspapers) would be better than a law.
Guidelines and information about the possible risks, for example blind cords, falling furniture, plastic bags, and so on.