# Should I leave my kids in the car, unattended? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 23, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246 "2006-01-23T14:58:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/1 "2006-01-23T14:58:15Z")
I’m certain that we all agree that leaving young children in cars, unattended, is dangerous and reprehensible. However, is this an absolute contraindication, or is it dependant on factors such as: age, time, visibility and distance? When traveling by automobile, I secure my two daughters, ages 3 and 5, safely to age-appropriate child-seats. They understand and comply with our rule of not unfastening the buckles, unless we ask them to do so. When I stop for gas and complete pumping (Florida is a pump-your-own-gas state), I remove the girls from their seats and bring them into the store so that I may pay for the gas. I have always assumed that leaving them unattended in the car would be illegal, but I am often struck with the thought that doing so may be the more appropriate action. I always stop at combination gas station/convenience stores that have full window fronts, therefore my car remains visible to me the entire time that I am in the store and I am in and out of the store in less than 5 minutes. Keeping the kids in the car alone exposes them to two potential hazards (that I can think of): 1) car-jacking/kidnapping, and 2) the girls unbuckling their seats and getting into or causing some type of mayhem (unlikely with my kids, as explained above). Bringing the girls into the store exposes them to two different potential hazards (that I can think of): 1) Getting hit by a car on the often heavily trafficked parking lot, and 2) slip-and-fall type accidents on the oil-slicked macadam and often slippery-floored stores. In my opinion, the potential for harm is much greater in bringing my kids into the store as opposed to leaving them briefly unattended in the car. Three questions: 1) Is it indeed illegal (at least in Florida) to leave children alone briefly in the car, as in the above scenario? 2) Do you/ would you leave your children in the car under similar circumstances? 3) Do you agree with my comparative risk-assessment? ---
**Author:** ![charizard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/charizard/32/4166_2.png) [@charizard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/charizard)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/2 "2006-01-23T15:49:26Z")
I can contribute what the Texas penal code has to say about it. **Title 5, Chapter 22, Section 10 ¤ 22.10. LEAVING A CHILD IN A VEHICLE. (a) A person commits an offense if he intentionally or knowingly leaves a child in a motor vehicle for longer than five minutes, knowing that the child is: (1) younger than seven years of age; and (2) not attended by an individual in the vehicle who is 14 years of age or older. (b) An offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor. Note: If the child is injured, the charge is then elevated to child endangerment, which is a felony. The penalties are six months to two years in jail and a fine up to $10,000.** Personally, I wouldn’t leave small kids for even 5 seconds. Sure, usually nothing would happen. But when things do happen, it always seems like it was just in “no time.” ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/3 "2006-01-23T15:49:37Z")
Well, the factual part refers to the law, which I can’t answer. When my kids were 3 and 5 I would not leave them in the car, not for one minute. When my daughter got to be 6 or so, I would leave her in circumstances similar to what you describe–short distance from car, car fully visible–when I was confident she could follow instructions to stay put and not touch anything in the car. I did not have that confidence at age 3. In risk assessments one must consider two factors: the probability of an outcome, and the impact of the outcome. I have a fear (which might not be born out by statistics) of the children getting the car to move, or being kidnapped, either of which have what might as well be infinite impact. So I mitigate that risk ahead of risks that may be more likely but lower impact. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/4 "2006-01-23T16:00:02Z")
This is anecdotal evidence but shows that the nightmare scenario, though rare, is possible. [Car Stolen With Child Inside](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10809299/from/RL.3/) [Car stolen with baby inside](http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=News&id=1416428) [stolen car which also happened to have a 11 month old baby](http://www.phoneyworld.com/newspage.aspx?n=1751) ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/5 "2006-01-23T16:07:25Z")
I agree that it’s almost always a bad idea to leave kids in a car alone for more than five seconds, but doesn’t Florida have any gas stations that let you pay at the pump, so you don’t have to be more than five feet from the car? ---
**Author:** ![MizGrand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@MizGrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizGrand)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/6 "2006-01-23T16:19:04Z")
Well, I must just be a horrible mother then. I have two, 4 & 1.5. If I’m at a gas station and have to run in for a minute, I leave them in the car. I feel more comfortable if the 4 y/o isn’t there, because he would be the one to cause mayhem. Another example of bad parenting is that if/when baby is sick/asleep when we arrive at pre-school, I illegally park (a **whole** other issue please), put on my flashers, crack the window, lock the door and run the 4 y/o inside to school. That takes a total of 3 minutes. It’s way better than waking up/hauling out a sick baby and just making him miserable, IMVHO. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/7 "2006-01-23T16:30:17Z")
I always assumed that the “I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me” aspect of Parenthood was just part of the package. You get pregnant, you get joined at the hip to the resultant progeny for the next five years or so. In the Pleistocene, it was Mommy’s job not to leave her preschoolers where hyenas could get at them, and in the 21st century it’s Mommy’s job not to leave her preschoolers where kidnappers can get at them. Not to mention leaving them to fool around with the car controls. At the very least, you’ll come back to find your radio buttons screwed up and your wipers on. I just shrugged and took my kids inside with me, every time, everywhere. So for years and years, I had three little shadows that went in and out with me. All part of the package, I thought. > [@](#): > > I illegally park (a whole other issue please), put on my flashers, crack the window, lock the door and run the 4 y/o inside to school. That takes a total of 3 minutes. Just wishing to point out that 3 minutes is plenty of time for another driver to crash into your illegally-parked, locked car with your baby inside. And since the door is locked, nobody can get in there to get your baby out. And when the police show up, they find that your car was not only illegally parked, but was also locked, with a baby left inside, so that nobody could rescue it. And depending on your state, I’d bet that enough shit would then commence to hit the fan that you’d begin to wish you’d brought the sick cranky baby inside with you. Just a thought. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/8 "2006-01-23T16:43:56Z")
California, eh? [http://ccld.ca.gov/Children`s\_1807.htm](http://ccld.ca.gov/Children%60s_1807.htm) > [@](#): > > **… the Unattended Child in Motor Vehicle Safety Act (also known as “Kaitlyn’s Law”) was incorporated into the California Vehicle Code (Division 6.7), and became effective on January 1, 2002. This law makes it an infraction, punishable by a fine of $100, for a parent, guardian or other person responsible for a child six years of age or younger to leave that child in a motor vehicle without supervision.** Kaitlyn’s Law. [http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d06\_7/vc15620.htm](http://www.dmv.ca.gov/pubs/vctop/d06_7/vc15620.htm) > [@](#): > > Prohibition Against Unattended Child in Vehicle > > 1. (a) A parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child who is 6 years of age or younger may not leave that child inside a motor vehicle without being subject to the supervision of a person who is 12 years of age or older, under either of the following circumstances: > > (1) Where there are conditions that present a significant risk to the child’s health or safety. > > (2) When the vehicle’s engine is running or the vehicle’s keys are in the ignition, or both. > > (b) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100), except that the court may reduce or waive the fine if the defendant establishes to the satisfaction of the court that he or she is economically disadvantaged and the court, instead, refers the defendant to a community education program that includes education on the dangers of leaving young children unattended in motor vehicles, and provides certification of completion of that program. Upon completion of that program, the defendant shall provide that certification to the court. The court may, at its discretion, require any defendant described in this section to attend an education program on the dangers of leaving young children unattended in motor vehicles. > > © Nothing in this section shall preclude prosecution under both this section and Section 192 of the Penal Code, or Section 273a of that code, or any other provision of law. > > (d) (1) Subdivision (b) and Section 40000.1 do not apply if an unattended child is injured or medical services are rendered on that child because of a violation described in subdivision (a). > > (2) Nothing in this subdivision precludes prosecution under any other provision of law. > Added Sec. 2, Ch. 855, Stats. 2001. Effective January 1, 2002. > Amended Sec. 222, Ch. 664, Stats. 2002. Effective January 1, 2003.\*\* IANAL, but I’d have to say that “illegally parked in the roadway, susceptible to being rear-ended by a driver not expecting a parked car in a traffic lane” would count as “conditions that present a significant risk to the child’s health”. [Kaitlyn](http://www.kidsandcars.org/speier_press_release.htm) was a 6-month-old baby who died of heat stroke when her babysitter left her in a van. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/9 "2006-01-23T17:44:41Z")
> [@Duck Duck Goose](#): > > . . .3 minutes is plenty of time for another driver to crash into your illegally-parked, locked car with your baby inside. Like I said, low probability, huge impact. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/10 "2006-01-23T17:46:15Z")
We always took MilliCal with us, egardless of how much trouble it was. My heart goes out to anyone coping with two, but I thinmk we still would’ve done the same. Too much can happen when you’re out. Now that MilliCal is older, it’s legal for us to leave her for short stints, if we ghave to run in quick to pay for gas or grab something at the convenience store. On these occasionsd I always tell her not to bark at the passers-by. Which, of course, she then _has_ to do. ---
**Author:** ![MizGrand](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/cdc98d/32.png) [@MizGrand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MizGrand)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/11 "2006-01-23T18:01:12Z")
Thank you. Honestly. I admire the knowledge of this board. I really hadn’t envisioned an accident trapping my baby locked inside. Will ponder this thought the next time the situation arises. As an aside and huge-ass excuse, when I said illegally parked, I meant {oh no!} either in the HUGE (literally 20’ across) blue unloading space or against an island which is out of the line of traffic. Please don’t beat me with the wet noodle… ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/12 "2006-01-23T19:39:32Z")
[puts wet noodle away regretfully] 😃 ---
**Author:** ![VernWinterbottom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/c67d28/32.png) [@VernWinterbottom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VernWinterbottom)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/13 "2006-01-23T20:05:32Z")
This is from the father of a five and a half year old, who is only now being left alone for very brief times, such as paying for gas–although she usually wants to come inside with me anyway. . . Your car’s just as likely to be rear ended while you’re in the car with the child. Actually, since you’re probably in the car with the child far longer, the odds are higher you’ll be there when the collision occurs. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/14 "2006-01-23T20:27:45Z")
> [@Dr. PoopiePants](#): > > 1. Is it indeed illegal (at least in Florida) to leave children alone briefly in the car, as in the above scenario? > [@](#): > > \*\*What Florida Law says about… > Leaving children unattended in a motor vehicle > \*\* > According to Florida State Statute: > > FSS 316.6135 Leaving children unattended or unsupervised in motor vehicle; penalty; authority of law enforcement officer. > > 1. No parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child younger than 6 years of age shall leave such child unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle for a period in excess of 15 minutes; however, no such person shall leave a child unattended for any period of time if the motor vehicle is running or the health of the child is in danger. > > 2. Any person who violates the provisions of subsection (1) is guilty of a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of: > \* Not more than $100; or > \* Not less than $50 and not more than $500 if the motor vehicle was running or the health of the child was in danger at the time of the violation. > > 3. Any law enforcement officer who observes a child left unattended or unsupervised in a motor vehicle in violation of subsection (1) may use whatever means are reasonably necessary to protect the minor child and to remove him from the vehicle. > > 4. If the child is removed from the immediate area notification should be placed on the vehicle. > > 5. The child shall be remanded to the custody of the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services pursuant to chapter 39, unless the law enforcement officer is able to locate the parents or legal guardian or other person responsible for the child. Source: [http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/html/Floridalaw/fllaw.html](http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/html/Floridalaw/fllaw.html) ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/15 "2006-01-23T20:44:26Z")
As long as we’re compiling and comparing… Illinois law is irritatingly vague while using a whole lot of words on the topic. The best info I can find is from [this pamphlet (warning: doc file!)](http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/docs/alone.doc) called _Preparing Children to Stay Alone_ (May 2001), by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services > [@](#): > > ``` > What is lack of supervision? > Illinois law defines a neglected minor, in part, as "any minor under the age of 14 years whose parent or other person responsible for the minor's welfare leaves the minor without supervision for an unreasonable period of time without regard for the mental or physical health, safety or welfare of that minor." > Juvenile Court Act, 705 ILCS 405/2-3(1)(d) > > How long may a child be left alone? > What is appropriate under certain circumstances may be considered child neglect in other circumstances. > > While recognizing that many factors may apply, Illinois law lists 15 specific factors to be considered when deciding whether a child has been left alone for an unreasonable period of time. > > ``` They go on to list those 15 factors: > [@](#): > > While recognizing that many factors may apply, Illinois law lists 15 specific factors to be considered when deciding whether a child has been left alone for an unreasonable period of time. They include: > > 1. the age of the minor > 2. the number of minors left at the location > 3. special needs of the minor, including whether the minor is physically or mentally handicapped, or otherwise in need of ongoing prescribed medical treatment such as periodic dosages of insulin or other medications > 4. the duration of time in which the minor was left without supervision > 5. the condition and location of the place where the child was left without supervision > 6. the time of day or night when the minor was left without supervision > 7. the weather conditions, including whether the minor was left in a location with adequate protection from the natural elements such as adequate heat or light > 8. the location of the parent or guardian at the time the minor was left without supervision, the physical distance the minor was from the parent or guardian at the time the minor was without supervision > 9. whether the minor’s movement was restricted, or the minor was otherwise locked within a room or other structure > 10. whether the minor was given a phone number of a person or location to call in the event of an emergency and whether the minor was capable of making an emergency call > 11. whether there was food and other provision left for the minor > 12. whether any of the conduct is attributable to economic hardship or illness and the parent, guardian or other person having physical custody or control of the child made a good faith effort to provide for the health and safety of the minor > 13. the age and physical and mental capabilities of the person(s) who provided supervision for the minor > 14. whether the minor was left under the supervision of another person > 15. any other factor that would endanger the health and safety of that particular minor Nothing cut and dried like “Under six years for 15 minutes when the Moon is in Scorpio.” I guess I understand on one hand, because this leaves lots of room for looking at each case on it’s merits adn taking into account extenuating circumstances and individual kids. OTOH, it leaves me feeling rather vulnerable as a parent: what if someone else has different standards than I do and thinks I’m endangering my 13 year old when he babysits my 1 year old? I know he’s perfectly capable, but not everyone may agree. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/16 "2006-01-23T21:39:18Z")
If the only time your concerened about this is when running in to pay for gas I’d suggest getting a checking debit card from your bank and using it to pay at the pump. I can honestly say that I have not went inside a gas station to pay for gas within the last 10 years. If I do run up against a gas station that does not have a pay-at-the-pump feature (very,very,very rare nowdays) I usually leave and go to a different gas station. ---
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/17 "2006-01-23T21:45:48Z")
Thus far, we have only considered the risks incurred by leaving children in cars. We must give consideration to the risks incurred by taking children into the gas station, as well. The sad fact is that pedestrians do, at times, get seriously injured and killed in and around parking lots. I have no relevant statistics (and doubt that they even exist for this special case circumstance), but my gut reaction is that more children **may** be injured or killed as pedestrians in parking lots as opposed to being injured or killed by remaining in the car for a couple of minutes (by car-jacking or vehicular collisions). I witness many reckless drivers in parking lots and some get precariously close to striking pedestrians, so I must conclude that this is a serious risk. (If you’re going to be struck by a vehicle, better to be in a vehicle as well). The possibility also exists that your child may break free from your grasp (particularly if you are negotiating more than one child) and he or she may run into highway traffic (I recall reading of cases like this resulting in death). Children may also be seriously injured or killed from slip-and-fall head injuries in oil-slick parking lots. Admittedly, the risks of taking children into gas stations is most likely quite miniscule. However, I do allow for the possibility that serious risk incurred by keeping children in a car for 3 or 4 minutes may be even more miniscule. All things considered, if statistics were to bear out that my children are less at risk for serious injury or death by remaining in an unattended car for a couple of minutes, then I should consider that option. I don’t know the statistics in this situation, hence my OP question. The risk of heat stroke does not exist in the gas station scenario of 3 or 4-minute absences. As far as mayhem that children may cause in an unattended vehicle, I suppose you should take it on a child-by-child case basis. In the case of my 3-year old, she can’t even unbuckle from the seat by herself and my 5-year old is quite responsible. Even if the 3-year old did manage to unbuckle herself, she would be unlikely to move the vehicle (gear-shift is difficult for a 3-year-old to move, the key is not left in the car…etc.). Fire hazard should not exist since there are no lighters in our vehicle. She would be unlikely to leave the vehicle due to the sliding doors being beyond her capacity to open. Even if statistics bore out that it was more dangerous to take children into gas stations, one should not be tempted to extrapolate this to other circumstances. For instance, one could try to justify leaving a child in the car while they hop into Wal-Mart for _just a minute or two_. In this case, even with good intentions, the possibility exists that one could forget about the kids in the car and remain far too long in the store. This possibility does not exist in a gas station (you’re not likely to forget the kids and stay in the gas station too long). Sometimes, we are fooled into exposing ourselves to more risk in an effort to reduce risk – good intentions gone awry. Case in point: a very good argument can be made that putting toilet seat protectors on public toilet seats exposes you to more risk than not putting them on. Why? When putting toilet seat protectors on you are much more likely to touch the toilet seat with your hands. While getting a few rogue bacteria on your backside is relatively free of serious risk, the same can not be said of getting those bacteria on your hands (hands that often make their way to your mouth). So, in this case, attempting to reduce risk, results in incurring more risk. I’m simply positing that the same _may_ be true of bringing children into gas stations as opposed to leaving them unattended for a couple of minutes. For the record, I _do not_ leave my girls in the vehicle alone at any time. I’m simply saying that I would consider doing so in the special circumstance of the gas station, if I was convinced that doing so constituted less of a serious risk than not doing so. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/18 "2006-01-23T21:46:41Z")
> [@Duck Duck Goose](#): > > And since the door is locked, nobody can get in there to get your baby out. > > And when the police show up, they find that your car was not only illegally parked, but was also locked, with a baby left inside, so that nobody could rescue it. Nobody would think to break out a window if a baby was in danger? ---
**Author:** ![MLS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/919ad9/32.png) [@MLS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MLS)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/19 "2006-01-23T21:47:51Z")
I would never, ever, leave a preschooler unattended in a car, under any circumstances. My girls were pretty old before I’d leave them in the car. Once they’re out of the strap-in baby seats, it’s no big deal to have them unbuckle and come into the store anyway, and by that time, they usually want to come in anyway. The gas station scenario does not apply, since we have full service gas stations at no extra cost in NJ. ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 23, 2006, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246/20 "2006-01-23T21:49:37Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > As long as we’re compiling and comparing… > > Illinois law is irritatingly vague while using a whole lot of words on the topic. The best info I can find is from [this pamphlet (warning: doc file!)](http://www.state.il.us/dcfs/docs/alone.doc) called _Preparing Children to Stay Alone_ (May 2001), by the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services > > They go on to list those 15 factors: > Nothing cut and dried like “Under six years for 15 minutes when the Moon is in Scorpio.” I guess I understand on one hand, because this leaves lots of room for looking at each case on it’s merits adn taking into account extenuating circumstances and individual kids. OTOH, it leaves me feeling rather vulnerable as a parent: what if someone else has different standards than I do and thinks I’m endangering my 13 year old when he babysits my 1 year old? I know he’s perfectly capable, but not everyone may agree. This is a way better rule than the hard-and-fast rules the other states have. It depends on lots of things. Parents know better than the authorities what their children can handle. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/should-i-leave-my-kids-in-the-car-unattended/341246.md?page=2)