A MUM has sparked a debate after asking people if it’s ok to leave a sleeping baby in the car when nipping to pay at the petrol station.
The woman uploaded a video sharing how she didn’t do it, but asked for people’s opinions.
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In a TikTok video that has 4,000 likes, she wrote: “Genuine question: Is it socially acceptable to leave your sleeping baby in the locked car while paying for your fuel or do you take them in?
“I always take her in, but questioned it yesterday when she was sound asleep after baby class?”
Lots of mums said they are relaxed about running out to pay and leaving kids in the car.
One said: “I’ve always done it. Didn’t realise people didn’t.”
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Another agreed: “It’s not socially acceptable but I did it every time.”
Meanwhile, a third commented: “Yes I did, but I could always see my car from the register and my car windows are tinted black and you could not see on the outside of my car I had a kid.
“No stickers of baby on board etc..”
While many defended it, many were passionate about never leaving kids alone for a second.
One wrote: “I’d always take my children in no matter how much of a struggle it is!
“Takes someone 2 seconds to steal a car and it’s not worth the risk.”
A second shared: “No it wasn’t for me to be honest, I always thought what if a car drove into mine or something terrible happened.”
The mum responded to the debate saying: “the comments are two ends of the spectrum.”
So what is the rule?
According to the UK government website, there is no written law against leaving your child unsupervised in a car, and also no legal age for leaving kids alone in general.
However, it is an offence to leave a child alone if it places them at risk, reports the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).
The charity said children under 12 are “rarely mature enough” to be left alone for a long period of time, and they stated that kids under 16 should not be left alone overnight.
They added that babies, toddlers and very young children should never be left alone, even for short periods.
A spokesperson for the NSPCC said: “When left alone in a vehicle, young children can very quickly start to get anxious and distressed.
“Even if they’re sleeping peacefully when you leave they could well wake up and get very upset when you’re not there to look after them.
“They would not be able to protect themselves in an emergency and may even try to leave the vehicle to find you.
“As children become older, parents need to exercise their own judgement about whether they can be briefly left in a car.
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“If they can see the vehicle the whole time it may be okay, depending on your child’s maturity.
“However, every child is different and every parent needs to make their own decision on whether their child is ready to be left in this scenario.”
Can parents be prosecuted for leaving kids on their own?
THERE is no strict law, but parents can be prosecuted for leaving their kids alone in an environment which puts them at risk.
And if they are found guilty of neglect, they can face a fine or even a prison sentence.
Leaving your child alone in a car can also result in prosecution.
If you leave children alone, or even with a friend, while they are under the age of 16 and something happens, you could be liable for both children — not just your own.
If you’re looking for an alternative, consider whether child care is an option for you.
Even though it might seem like a good idea, don’t leave your children with one of their friends the first time they are home alone, as this can encourage dangerous or bad behaviour.
If you don’t trust your child by themselves, they shouldn’t be allowed to stay home alone, especially with a friend to accompany them.
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