Leaving your child in the car

[iacrenter]

A couple days ago I was having lunch at one of the Chinese restaurants near the Jeffery Ranch 99. I noticed a woman in a Mercedes pull up to the parking stall and walk in to make a take out order. After about 5-10 minutes I noticed she had left her toddler in his car seat with the window partially open and the car off. I was right about to say something when she left with her food and went back into the vehicle. The temperature that day was probably in the low to mid 70's.

What do other parents think? Is it okay if she left the car on with AC? Do you  ever load your kid in the car at home, forget an item in the house and dash back in?

How about this mom. She had her kid sleeping in the locked car on with alarm, 10 yards away while giving a donation to the Salvation Army with her other kids?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23594474/

 

[irvinehomeowner]

I think if you go to a place where the car is out of sight... it's verrrry iffy. It also depends on the age of your children.

The thing is, sometimes a 1-minute errand turns into a 5-10 minute one and that might have been what happened to that lady.

And I would never leave them in the car while it is on even if the car is in sight... that's just inviting trouble.

The Salvation Army one does seem like the authorities over reacted.