WWN’s Guide To Leaving Your Kid In The Car While You Run To The Shop For Two Minutes
HERE at WWN, we believe that you should never leave young children unattended in your car, except when you’re only going to be gone for like two minutes, in which case they’re probably grand.
If you’re in doubt as to whether or not your infant will be ok while you duke in to pay for petrol, you may find the following guidelines to be of use;
1) Play the odds.
Has a child ever been abducted in this area before? If the answer is no, then it’s probable that you’re in a very safe environment where your child will come to no harm in your absence. Give them something to play with and dart into the petrol station, ATM or grab a coffee.
2) Only leave them in the car if it’s too much hassle to bring them with you.
When weighing up whether or not you should leave your kid in the car, you need to factor in several things. Will you be away from the car long enough to warrant the hassle of getting them out of the car seat and putting them back in it? Wouldn’t you be a lot quicker if you could just go and do your task by yourself? Has your kid just fallen asleep, and you don’t want to wake them up? If the answer to all these questions is yes, then by all means leave them be. Why make work for yourself?
3) Never be longer than you say you’ll be, unless something comes up.
If you say you’re leaving your kid in the car for two minutes, then leave them in the car for two minutes. Unless something distracts you. Or the laser machine in the shop is broken and you have to go around the corner for an ATM. Or you see a newspaper headline and stop to read the story. As we’ve said before, your kid will probably be fine. Take your time.
4) Never leave a window open.
Someone could reach in and unlock the door. So keep them windows shut tight. Unless it’s an incredibly hot day. In which case, leave it open a little. Not enough to get a hand in, or a bit of wire. Maybe just leave it shut altogether. It’s kinda hard to give a definitive answer here. Go with your instinct.
5) Don’t leave your phone in the car.
Your mobile phone is the most important thing in your life, and you will need it to call the police if someone steals your car with your baby in it. Always be sure to have your phone with you so that you don’t waste time looking for a phone if your child is kidnapped.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR PHONE IN YOUR CAR! Not even once. Not even for a minute.