convience stores and baby

Autumn - posted on 04/14/2009

Quoting Joy:

Quoting Autumn:

did I mention, I'm only in there for a minute or 2. I know the risks of over heating in the car so if the line at the counter looks long, I wait in the car with the kids till it goes down. I've actually had the person in front of me notice I was staring at my car and let me cut in line.
If you don't feel comfortable with it, don't do it. However if you are cautious about how you do it, everything will be fine

Even a minute or 2 in a car in comfortable weather is enough to cause damage.  Especially if the car is off and windows rolled up....not to mention that seeing your car from inside a store isn't always possible because of all the beer, soda and lotto signs always in the windows at a convenience store.  I just think the risks far outweigh the benefits.  Then there's the fact that it's illegal (as a lot of other moms have said) in most states.  Oh, and someone can steal your car...locked or not...With a little extra preparation before leaving the house, the whole scenerio can be avoided.  And if you still need to stop for food, go drive-thru. 

I got this from webmd : According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 'a locked car sitting in the summer sun quickly turns into an oven,' and 'temperatures can climb from 78 degrees to 100 degrees in just three minutes, to 125 degrees in 6-8 minutes.'

Why risk it with such precious cargo?

I never said it was the best option at all convenience stores.  When I do it, I make sure I can see.  There is no way anyone would be able to break in to my car before I would be right next to them shoving my keys into their eye socets...much less be able to hot wire the car to steal it.  If it was that illegal the cop I parked next to would have arrested me on the spot.

Your best bet is to talk to a cop or CPS on the specifics of the law...which was created to protect kids from moms who leave thier kids in the car to grocery shop or lock them in the trunk to go on a date.  And always follow your instincts.  Obviously if your gut is telling something is wrong don't do it.

Autumn - posted on 04/14/2009

Quoting Joy:

Quoting Autumn:

did I mention, I'm only in there for a minute or 2. I know the risks of over heating in the car so if the line at the counter looks long, I wait in the car with the kids till it goes down. I've actually had the person in front of me notice I was staring at my car and let me cut in line.
If you don't feel comfortable with it, don't do it. However if you are cautious about how you do it, everything will be fine

Even a minute or 2 in a car in comfortable weather is enough to cause damage.  Especially if the car is off and windows rolled up....not to mention that seeing your car from inside a store isn't always possible because of all the beer, soda and lotto signs always in the windows at a convenience store.  I just think the risks far outweigh the benefits.  Then there's the fact that it's illegal (as a lot of other moms have said) in most states.  Oh, and someone can steal your car...locked or not...With a little extra preparation before leaving the house, the whole scenerio can be avoided.  And if you still need to stop for food, go drive-thru. 

I got this from webmd : According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 'a locked car sitting in the summer sun quickly turns into an oven,' and 'temperatures can climb from 78 degrees to 100 degrees in just three minutes, to 125 degrees in 6-8 minutes.'

Why risk it with such precious cargo?

I never said it was the best option at all convenience stores.  When I do it, I make sure I can see.  There is no way anyone would be able to break in to my car before I would be right next to them shoving my keys into their eye socets...much less be able to hot wire the car to steal it.  If it was that illegal the cop I parked next to would have arrested me on the spot.

Your best bet is to talk to a cop or CPS on the specifics of the law...which was created to protect kids from moms who leave thier kids in the car to grocery shop or lock them in the trunk to go on a date.  And always follow your instincts.  Obviously if your gut is telling something is wrong don't do it.

Joy - posted on 04/14/2009

Quoting Autumn:

did I mention, I'm only in there for a minute or 2. I know the risks of over heating in the car so if the line at the counter looks long, I wait in the car with the kids till it goes down. I've actually had the person in front of me notice I was staring at my car and let me cut in line.
If you don't feel comfortable with it, don't do it. However if you are cautious about how you do it, everything will be fine

Even a minute or 2 in a car in comfortable weather is enough to cause damage.  Especially if the car is off and windows rolled up....not to mention that seeing your car from inside a store isn't always possible because of all the beer, soda and lotto signs always in the windows at a convenience store.  I just think the risks far outweigh the benefits.  Then there's the fact that it's illegal (as a lot of other moms have said) in most states.  Oh, and someone can steal your car...locked or not...With a little extra preparation before leaving the house, the whole scenerio can be avoided.  And if you still need to stop for food, go drive-thru. 

I got this from webmd : According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 'a locked car sitting in the summer sun quickly turns into an oven,' and 'temperatures can climb from 78 degrees to 100 degrees in just three minutes, to 125 degrees in 6-8 minutes.'

Why risk it with such precious cargo?

Angie - posted on 04/14/2009

I'm with the other moms, never leave you child alone in a car. It's child abuse (and I don't just mean legally) to leave a child unattended in a vehicle...

Julie - posted on 04/14/2009

Leaving your kid in the car - even if only for a minute - is ILLEGAL and DANGEROUS!  Don't do it.  Either go out of your way for a drive through, prepare more before leaving the house, or wake him up to go into the store.  Do you know how many car thefts I have heard about where the kid was still in the back of the car?  How many kids are taken away from their parents for endangerment for leaving them in the car?  Believe me I've been tempted too but just don't do it.

Jessie - posted on 04/14/2009

Legally, never leave the baby in the car no matter how long you're in the store.  You can get arrested for child endangerment.  It's also considered a form of child abuse believe it or not.  Just make it a habit to bring them in sleeping or not.  Most kids will continue to sleep when you carry them inside anyway.  If you're really worried about waking the child, then make sure they get their nap in before going anywhere.

Autumn - posted on 04/13/2009

sounds like they didn't lock their car

Mary-Ann - posted on 04/13/2009

As for one, she ran in to drop cash at the register to pay for gas, she was gone less than a minute, as soon as he walked away a guy jumped in a took off. For the other, she got out ran across the street to pick up her two older kids who were waiting fro her at the entrance, again gone for only a minute or two. The first one had the car running and the seconf did not.

Mary-Ann - posted on 04/13/2009

I always take my DD in with me, sleeping or not. It only takesa minute to steal a car. Infact it happend twice in the last month or so here in AB. Two moms left their babies in the car for one reason or another and their cars were stolen with the child in tyhe back seat. now thankfully both kids were found safe the same day but still. What if they weren't. I don't risk it in any situation. it is better to have a cranky child than one who is missing.

Autumn - posted on 04/13/2009

did I mention, I'm only in there for a minute or 2. I know the risks of over heating in the car so if the line at the counter looks long, I wait in the car with the kids till it goes down. I've actually had the person in front of me notice I was staring at my car and let me cut in line.
If you don't feel comfortable with it, don't do it. However if you are cautious about how you do it, everything will be fine

Autumn - posted on 04/13/2009

I try to park next to the front windows of the convenience store, lock them in and try to be as quick as possible. I keep an eye on them through the window while I wait in line. I feel better cause I know that if anyone starts to look suspicious around my car, I can drop everything and run out to them. I've actually parked next to a cop and gone in to do this and the cop just smiled at me in passing.

Heather - posted on 04/13/2009

It is illegal to leave an child under10 yrs of age alone in a vehicle! It's possiable to arrested for child endangerment!! Just FYI

Sarah - posted on 04/13/2009

This has happened to me with my two infants asleep in their carseats and my older two asleep in their booster seats. I so wanted to just run in the store for a second but I would think about it and end up getting them all out and taking them with me. If something happened I wouldn't be able to forgive myself. It just isn't safe.

Kate CP - posted on 04/13/2009

I agree. I live in Texas and the inside of a car can get hot enough to bake chocolate chip cookies...I know, I've tried it. Never leave kiddo in the car alone. Even if you leave it running I would be terrified of locking the keys in the car and not being able to get back in.

Traci - posted on 04/13/2009

Drive a few blocks out of your way to get something to eat if you're that desperate. Never leave a baby in a car alone!

Kylie - posted on 04/12/2009

Never leave your baby or any children alone in a car even for a minuet. It's against the law in most countries and you never know what "might" happen. It’s just not worth it.

Heather - posted on 04/11/2009

I would never leave my baby alone in the car. For me, that's just too much space between my baby and me. The baby will always fall to sleep again later.

Tara - posted on 04/11/2009

I personally wouldn't be able to do it because if something did happen I could never ever forgive myself and not only that the whole time I would be freaking out while getting what I needed to and would keep looking over at the car so might as well just bring them in. In a case of hunger I would just have something on hand in my car/purse for times like that for something quick to eat.

Jolene - posted on 04/10/2009

Personally I don't think it is ever okay to leave them in the vehicle alone.

Jeanne - posted on 04/10/2009

NEVER LEAVE BABY IN THE CAR!! Sleeping or not. I hear stories all the time of people doing that and what if your car is stolen... When I see this I call the cops. Sorry but it is just not a smart idea. If you can't take your kids in with you then don't go in.

Christelle - posted on 04/10/2009

I'm in South Africa, I leave NOTHING in the car.  If I really need to stop, I'll just wake both up and put the baby in his buggy.  It's just not worth it, due to the heat risk and the crime risk.

Joy - posted on 04/10/2009

I live in Florida and we are always hearing stories of babies dying of heat exposure because of being left in the car.  So personally, I have never left my son in the car.  I'm too worried that if I roll the windows down someone will take him.  And if I leave the windows up, even 5 minutes in a hot car is enough to cause damage.  I've always woken him up and taken him with me if I absolutely HAVE to stop.  My best advice is to plan ahead.  I know it's not easy because Moms have a thousand things on their minds and more than a thousand things to do...but I always bring a baggie of goldfish crackers and a sippy cup of water wherever we go.  I got a purse that's big enough to double as a "quick trip" diaper bag and these things are almost always in there...right next to my wallet and keys. 

Dawn - posted on 04/10/2009

that's a tough one that i always agonize over too!! you want to make sure they get their naps in so they aren't cranky but don't want to run the risk of him getting taken or someone calling cps on you either. i usually just get my kids up cause my overactive mind always kicks in and i imagine all the bad things that COULD happen. and that's why lately when i have a lot of errands to run at nap time i try and find SOMEONE that can go with me that would be willing to stay in the car with my kids while they sleep. or i just wait and go when my hubby's home and i can just leave them with him. it's getting so bad now trying to go anywhere with both of my kids.

Amanda - posted on 04/10/2009

girl i go thru this all the time and am never sure! I just go on if i am REALLY comfortable with the area and how crowded the place is.. at the gas station i freak out with leaving my lil guy in there but in that case i just lock the door and run in generally.