Opinions?

hazysherman11

Normally when I go to a gas station, if I want to go in and get a bottle of water or something, I lug DS in his carseat in with me. It takes more time though to get that seat out and put it back in than it does to actually go in and come out. Is it okay to leave LO in the car with the doors locked while you just run into the gas station. Obviously would never do this at a grocery store, but a gas station when your only running in for a second. Opinions? 

purplepolish

If you want to risk getting arrested...

HeatherNBen

IMO with all the crazy people out there I wouldn't risk it.

outrunthemoon

I've been struggling with the same decision. I know it's probably not the best thing to leave them alone in the car. So I've avoided going anywhere like that unless DF is with me. 

gisa886

Unfortunately it is not ok. 

Kdrake8

I would not do this. Please take the inconvenience of hooking and unhooking the carseat.  You don't know what could happen in just a minute

hazysherman11

purplepolish:

If you want to risk getting arrested...

 

I am a social worker, and I work a lot with CPS. So I know that it is not something that you will get arrested for,  or even get a CPS case brought against you, but it still doesn't make it right.  

gisa886

hazysherman11:

purplepolish:

If you want to risk getting arrested...

 

I am a social worker, and I work a lot with CPS. So I know that it is not something that you will get arrested for,  or even get a CPS case brought against you, but it still doesn't make it right.  

Isnt it considered endangering the welfare of a child because of heat?  

hazysherman11

gisa886:

hazysherman11:

purplepolish:

If you want to risk getting arrested...

 

I am a social worker, and I work a lot with CPS. So I know that it is not something that you will get arrested for,  or even get a CPS case brought against you, but it still doesn't make it right.  

Isnt it considered endangering the welfare of a child because of heat?  

 

If you were to leave them in there for a long time, ie. if you went into a grocery store or something then definitely yes. If you were only gone for 2 minutes, and had the windows down, then no. It is actually surprisingly REALLY sad how hard it is to get a CPS case. They have categories of things. If it isn't in the highest category (ie putting your child's life in danger, extreme abuse or neglect) Than you won't get your child taken away, unless there is a pattern. Even if you were to break an arm or a leg, they wouldn't do anything unless they had multiple complaints against you. It is really sad, but that is how the system works.  

purplepolish

I guess I should have said "If you want to risk someone calling the cops on you," which some people definitely will do.  

kipikookoo

Some gas stations have drive thrus here in my town so this hasn't been an issue. Maybe if you left the baby in the car while the car was still running with the A/C still on while the doors are locked. You would have to carry a spare car key with you though.

jamaicam

I had a car fire when I was pregnant - with no warning, my car broke into fire after I had parked it at my parents' house for a few minutes. Fortunately no one was in it. 

I will never leave LO in a car after that experience.  

kasper923

I wouldn't.  I don't even leave my 6 y/o in the car to run into the store.  Folks are crazy these days.

hazysherman11

jamaicam:

I had a car fire when I was pregnant - with no warning, my car broke into fire after I had parked it at my parents' house for a few minutes. Fortunately no one was in it. 

I will never leave LO in a car after that experience.  

 

HOLY ***!!! That is scary!  

Sclines2595

hazysherman11:

gisa886:

hazysherman11:

purplepolish:

If you want to risk getting arrested...

 

I am a social worker, and I work a lot with CPS. So I know that it is not something that you will get arrested for,  or even get a CPS case brought against you, but it still doesn't make it right.  

Isnt it considered endangering the welfare of a child because of heat?  

 

If you were to leave them in there for a long time, ie. if you went into a grocery store or something then definitely yes. If you were only gone for 2 minutes, and had the windows down, then no. It is actually surprisingly REALLY sad how hard it is to get a CPS case. They have categories of things. If it isn't in the highest category (ie putting your child's life in danger, extreme abuse or neglect) Than you won't get your child taken away, unless there is a pattern. Even if you were to break an arm or a leg, they wouldn't do anything unless they had multiple complaints against you. It is really sad, but that is how the system works.  

What Social Service area do you work in? I too am a social worker in Child Protection and we get referrals on people for far less than what you are talking about!  Yes - you probably wouldn't get an open case or your child removed from your care for leaving them in the car for 2 minutes -- but you would damn sure get an investigation slapped on your butt!  We have had investigations on parents who are drug addicts but don't even have their children ---- Granted our intake team is stupid - but at the same time -- you would definitely get a CPS referral for leaving him in the car - I'm sure of it.

PinkPeony6210

Absolutely not. I would never leave my little ones alone in the car. 

eav2c

Never, ever. Not worth the risk. 

Musiclover2012

Nope, never!!

dani1124

On the news a couple months ago a lady ran into the gas station to get something and came back out and her car was stolen with her LO inside.  Luckily they dropped the baby off at the hospital several hours later unharmed,but that could have been very bad. I would say doing this is a NO.

TucktheTurtle

Honestly...If I saw you leave your baby in the car while you went in the gas station, I'd probably call the cops. If nothing else, I'd stick my nose in your business and tell you that you are endangering your child because you can't be bothered to spend ten seconds getting them out of the car.

Granted, I live in MS, where you can literally cook on your dashboard, so... 

(I realize I sound like a raging b!tch, but leaving your child in a car is incredibly dangerous and there's never a good reason to do it.) 

6sour6grapes6

yeah, no. I thought about this when she was a week old. I wanted subway, and you park facing the door, so the car is literally right outside the place and I can see it. but no way. I just lifted the car seat out of the base and carried her in...set it on the floor while in line, clicked the seat back in 4 minutes later. no big deal. of course seeing how easy that was, why wouldn't I just carry her in for the few minutes?

ally-cat

Absolutely NOT.

maccalovah

No way- so risky, and you never know what could happen in those few seconds!

Not sure where you live, but here in FL, you can actually get a ticket for leaving your car running somewhere unattended...even though a ticket would probably be the least of your problems in this situation, it's still yet another reason not to do it... 

dubs3

nope. never. the safety of your baby is always worth the hassle.

funkymonkeyohyeahhh

i'm failing to understand how unsnapping the car seat is such a huge inconvenience. i'll just say it- you sound lazy. if you can't spend 10 seconds grabbing the seat to bring your child in with you, and would rather leave them unattended in a vehicle, you should probably reassess your priorities.

a few weeks ago in the area i live in, a woman was shot and her baby was taken. people are nuts for babies.

eta: oh and i don't believe you are a social worker.