Gas Station Protocol: Leave the Kids in the Car?

Updated on March 06, 2011
J.P. asks from Ventura, CA
50 answers

Did anyone see the Oprah about 5 years ago where the women left their kids in the cars and horrible things happened?!?!? I did and have been TRAUMATIZED!! At gas stations, my guilt-O-meter goes sky high and I literally run into the station to hand over the cash (when I can't pay at pump) and run back. While I'm gone I lock them in the car and take the keys and wallet with me. Otherwise, I NEVER leave them in the car.
I'm wondering what is the protocol of the other moms. Sometimes I wonder if I should haul them into the station with me. I purposely watch to make sure there's no line when I need to pay. Is this extreme? I don't live in big city L.A.. It's a small town but I'm still paranoid.

What do you do? What is the RIGHT way to do this? Is there an "officially" right way???

P.S. Pay at Pump is, what, 10-15 years old, so what happened before this was an option? What did the parents do then??? Where there more gas station abductions?? I'm curious if there's info out there.

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So What Happened?

Okay, so thanks for all the responses. I have tallied it up. Out of 36 responses, 14 said they would leave their kids locked in the car; 25 said they would not (for all you math whizzes out there--I know it doesn't add up---but if the parent said that they never gas up when they have to go inside, but IF they had to, they would lock them in the car--I tallied one on each side.) This has definitely given me food for thought. On the one hand anything CAN happen. On the other, it is torture to unbuckle and then try to re-buckle three plus kids for a literal 15 second dash in and out. Hmmm...maybe when I feed my hubby the data he'll volunteer to take on permanent gas duty. Let's hope...

"I asked my uncle, who is a police officer, about the gas station debate. Here's what he told me so far.

"never ever ever never risk it. so many terrible things can go wrong. even in a minute. there was a lady just within the last 3 weeks here that only left her kids in the car for 1 or 2 minutes and when she came out the car was gone. the jacker, luckily saw the kids in it and left the car with the kids a couple blocks away.
doesnt matter the time limit or reason, if you leave children in a car unattended, that is child endangering and is immediately jailable offense. 1st degree misdemeanor up to 6 months in jail, $1000 fine. "

Not the answer I was expecting! I had no idea. I asked him what a mom should do when we can't pay at the pump. he recommends
Here's some more. Glad to help! I had no idea.

"its a common sense thing, that selfish, un-caring parents dont even get. the big violators park wherever at walmart and leave their kids in the car and are gone from 15-20 minutes to an hour, but then come back once they are caught and say, "it was only a minute or so".

the gas station scenario-again is common sense. depending on how busy station is, how far from the door of the store you are, whether your view is obstructed from pump to door, etc. best recommendation there is to leave the pump and pull car up closer to the door of the store. then take keys and lock. may have to use pump trouble speaker to tell the clerk your intentions and that your not driving off without paying, just protecting the kiddos.""

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M.H.

answers from Detroit on

I only ever use gas stations that have the pay at the pump option. If they don't have that then I don't use them. I guess if I really had a gas emergency and had to pay inside, I would definitely take my kids in with me when I had to pay :)

4 moms found this helpful
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V.V.

answers from Houston on

Luckily all of the pumps around here are pay at the pump. Otherwise, I'd probably only fill up when I'm by myself or have another adult with me to stay in the car with the kids. I'm super paranoid too.

4 moms found this helpful

S.T.

answers from Washington DC on

if i could see the pump and the approach to it, i'd lock 'em in. but there's rarely ever a reason to do so, most gas stations have pay-at-the-pump options.
khairete
S.

2 moms found this helpful

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S.W.

answers from Minneapolis on

This question was on here before, and I got reamed for saying this. Of course I have left my daughter in my locked car for a minute while going into a gas station. I pay at the pump whenever possible, but sometimes I need a gallon of milk.

There are NOT many, many psychos out there just waiting at gas stations to break into my LOCKED car to steal my child! Can we please stick to facts and not fears? Oprah doesn't get paid for giving data on her show, she gets paid for RATINGS!!

For example: This has happened how many times in the state of CA per year?? Anybody know?? The answer is - One case per year from 2003 to 2006 for the entire state of CA and in each of the 3 cases reported, the car was unlocked, keys were in the ignition, and in one the car was running...

Heres the whole report (please note that the VAST majority of AMBER alerts described, the child(ren) were abducted by a family member.
http://csti.ca.gov/WebPage/oeswebsite.nsf/PDF/California%...

Update: An average of 50,000 people die in car crashes each year, many of them children. How many children die each year from being left in the car at a gas station for a minute? An average of zero. We focus on the rare and bizarre, when we should be focusing on how to make the roads, the cars, and the drivers on them (including us) safer. No one here is asking "Do you drive your children in your car?" with responders saying "How COULD you?!?" though driving our children in our cars kills thousands of kids each year. Here's data on how we die: http://www.arthurhu.com/index/health/death.htm

12 moms found this helpful

S.M.

answers from Columbus on

I've always wondered about this! Whether it's paying at a gas station, running a letter in to the post office, or pushing the grocery cart to the corral. You can't keep your kids within arms reach every second of the day. If you lock the car and take the keys with you, your child is safe. That said, I'm one of the most paranoid moms I know, and I'm very distrusting of strangers. But I have a 3 year old and a newborn, and as much as I hate it sometimes, I can't haul them both in and out of the car for every 30 second stop! My rule of thumb is this: as long as you can see the car from where you're at, you'll see anyone approach the car before they can try anything.

Logically you have to consider, what's the worst that's going to happen? LOGICALLY, not what you see on shock-value news shows or horror movies. If someone is stalking you to try to kidnap your child, they're probably not going to do it at a busy gas station with lots of witnesses and probably security cameras.

I know our parents generation was not as uptight about this kind of thing as we are. My mom left me in the car for short errands before I was a year old, and left the keys in the car with me. And this was before car seats with harnesses - I was crawling all over in the car and managed to lock myself in once! Our grandparents were even more relaxed - my mom has memories or being in the car for an hour or longer with her 3 siblings while their mom grocery shopped - once she came back to find they had caught a bird and it was frightened and pooping all over the inside of her car! Anyway, parents were a lot more trusting back then, and kids still survived.

9 moms found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Johnstown on

I have always left my kids in the car. Yes, I know I will be scrutenized by alot of mothers, but I really don't care. It was virtually impossible for me to wrestle around, and get the twins out of their holders, carry 2 carseats while holding a 4 yr hold's hand in with me and then wrestle around to try to find where I put my money while I was carrying them in long enough to drop the cash on the counter, turn around and go back out the door, buckle the older one in, fight with the holders once again, and then get back in myself. I've always filled up, pulled the vehicle up to the window, pulled my keys and wallet out with me and locked the doors. It's easier on me, it's easier on the kids.

8 moms found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Cincinnati on

I pay at the pump about 95% of the time and try to fill up when my kids aren't in the car with me. BUT, there are those times that I either have to use cash or there is some reason that I have to go inside to pay. There are two local gas stations I use. Both of them are wall to wall, floor to ceiling windows in the front- when I go in, I can see my kids and they can see me. I lock the doors and pay as quickly as possible. For the mom who thinks that those of us are "lazy" for doing so, I'm going to assume that you probably only have one or two children and you don't realize what it would be like to cart four children into a gas station. As far as I'm concerned, my kids run a higher risk of falling in the parking lot on the way in OR getting hit by a car on the way in than they do of being snatched from my locked car while I am watching them from 20 feet away.

7 moms found this helpful
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T.B.

answers from Miami on

I never leave my kiddos in the car. Not ever. I live in FL and was evacuating for a hurricane some years ago. I had to pull over and get gas. My kiddos were in the back seat. There were long lines of cars. It was horrendous. I got out to pump my gas but the pump said to see someone inside after I had pumped my gas. An attendant was outside and I asked him if he could go inside and take care of it for me. He said no of course. I told him I'd have to unstrap my kiddos and bring them in with me and it would further hold up the line to which he said he would watch my children. Yeah, right! So, I unstrapped my children, locked my car door and inside I went to take care of whatever the problem was. Turned out the receipt machine was broken and I just needed to go in and get the dumb receipt. I didn't care I was holding up the lines of cars one bit. My children are MY children and where I go, they go!

6 moms found this helpful

A.G.

answers from Houston on

Never leave kids in the car, for any reason

6 moms found this helpful
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S.E.

answers from La Crosse on

One time at the gas station I watched as this mom unlocked her infant's car seat, shlepped it in the gas station, held it in line, was careful about putting it on the counter...and so on (she didn't put the clunky car seat down on the floor once). I kept thinking "Wow...I should be more careful with my kids. She is like supermom - we could all learn a few lessons from her."

I grew up small town where everyone runs into the gas station or even the grocery store for five minutes while kids battle in the backseat...I would lock my kids in the car all the time to run in to pay so I was really impressed with how careful this mom was, and kept thinking what a bad mom I was for not being as cautious...especially when she came back out, locked the car seat back in, spent lots of time adjusting the mirrors and seats for the baby, etc.

I was berating myself for not being as cautious and concerned about my kid's safety - At least until she crawled into the front seat, turned on the mini van, closed the windows, cranked on the air... and lit up a cigarette.

6 moms found this helpful

L.U.

answers from Seattle on

I leave my children in the car when I go to pay for gas. I lock the car and take the keys with me. I don't think there is a "right" way, there is your way. I feel comfortable in my neighborhood doing that. Now, if I was in an area that I don't know well, or where the crime rate is higher I might bring them with me. But, I am not going to live in fear.
Wierdos hang out at public parks and snatch children, do you go to parks? They lurk around malls, do you go to malls? How about movie theaters? Bowling alley's? The zoo? Disneyland? If someone is a sick-o and they are trying to snatch kids they are going to do it no matter what. Remember that case quite a few years ago of a little girl being snatched out of HER BED?
I chose to believe that my kids are okay while I am in the gas station.
L.
(mom of 8,5, and 7 week old)

5 moms found this helpful
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K.H.

answers from Detroit on

I only pay at the pump. Too much hassle to drag the kids inside with me.

4 moms found this helpful

A.R.

answers from St. Louis on

I am not sure about the "etiquette" in this situation, I just don't leave my kids in the car not even for 10 minutes. Whether is the gasoline station, the post office or any other errand, I just take my two boys and enter into the facility. I just can't do it the other way. I rather to be safer than sorry.
I don't think you are paranoid, it is just common sense, precaution and mom's love.
Ale

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M.S.

answers from San Francisco on

I take my kids out every time I need to go in. I don't care if its raining or what--- I would much rather them be safe with me than to risk them being abducted or harmed when in the car with out me. To me, even if you live in a relatively "safe" neighborhood, you really never know with people. Just think of all the small towns that having missing children, and murders.Kidnapping is a crime that takes less than 10 seconds. I would rather be inconvienced or late to an appt etc. than to risk their safety.

Molly

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

if i have to go inside i take my daughter. if i can pay at the pump or pump kiosk then i roll the window down and i leave her in. i roll the window so i can talk with her while i pay. i also will not use a kiosk that isnt right next to my car. my daughter will be 4.

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

I get a kick out of women who will bring their purse in but not their children. I can replace everything in my purse but not my kids. I realize it's not the easiest option but it is the only one I chose to make.

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B..

answers from Dallas on

I would NEVER leave my son in the car. Even locked. My dad works for the city and they get calls often about keys getting locked in cars, children getting locked in on accident, etc. He said it literally takes him 20 seconds (if that) to unlock a car. The newer cars with button systems, are the easiest. And...he isn't doing it to be quick. When a person wants something, it takes seconds. Seriously, It takes a matter of seconds for someone to get into a car. He lives in a SMALL town, too. I think it's irresponsible and with some parents lazy, to leave children in a car. I can't count how many times I've heard on the news of cars getting stolen while a parent runs into pay. It's not worth it.

I think, the ONLY right way is to take your kids in, or go without them.

P.S. I CLEARLY said with SOME parents, it is being lazy. SOME. Geez, people. I'm not attacking you personally.

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A.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I have left my sleeping kids in the car if I have to run into the gas station, but I can always see them. Doors locked, of course. But I'm also the person that will sit in a parking lot, and wait for a mom/parent who has left their kids in the car to come out, to make sure nothing happens to them.

It's a tough call, and I feel guilty, but when my two year old is sleeping, and waking him up means I have to carry him (b/c he's clingy when he wakes & refuses to walk) and carry his 6mo old sister into the gas station, it's just not possible.

3 moms found this helpful

R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Um... I may be playing devil's advocate here, but IF IF IF I have to fuel up with all 3 kids, yes, I lock them in the car, run in and pay, and get my butt back out there. HOWEVER, I always leave my purse on the front seat. I figure if someone's going to break in my car, they'll take my purse, not my kids. I try to get fuel when the kids aren't with me, or have my fiance do it, so this is my 'IF I have the kids' situation.

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D.K.

answers from San Francisco on

I usually pay with credit card at the pump, so it's a non-issue. On the occasions the pump won't take the credit card, I have locked the door and taken the keys with me. Please remember that stranger abduction has not changed in 30 years. Does it happen? Yes, on rare occasions. We are making ourselves crazy for no good reason. It's great we have Amber Alerts because it increases the possibility of getting the child back. It also means we all hear about it and then think it's more common than before. I am not sure we are really making our kids safer. When my oldest drove away at 16 with his liscence in his pocket, I though OMG he is so unprepared. All the experiences I had had at that age, he hasn't had! He's more vulnerable than we were because he has been so protected. I let my younger kids have a little more freedom to build up their experiences. You can't teach experience. You have to live it.

Updated

I usually pay with credit card at the pump, so it's a non-issue. On the occasions the pump won't take the credit card, I have locked the door and taken the keys with me. Please remember that stranger abduction has not changed in 30 years. Does it happen? Yes, on rare occasions. We are making ourselves crazy for no good reason. It's great we have Amber Alerts because it increases the possibility of getting the child back. It also means we all hear about it and then think it's more common than before. I am not sure we are really making our kids safer. When my oldest drove away at 16 with his liscence in his pocket, I though OMG he is so unprepared. All the experiences I had had at that age, he hasn't had! He's more vulnerable than we were because he has been so protected. I let my younger kids have a little more freedom to build up their experiences. You can't teach experience. You have to live it.

3 moms found this helpful

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

I would not leave them.
Can your husband help you out by making sure you have gas in the car when you need it?

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T.M.

answers from Philadelphia on

You should never ever leave your kids in the car. I would rather someone steal my purse, my wallet, even my car for that matter...but I would never leave my children for someone to steal! I know it's a hassle to bring them in everywhere but it's not worth the risk!
If you really don't want to get them out of the car then only go to stations where you can pay at the pump.

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K.N.

answers from Boston on

I'm so glad my town doesn't allow "pump your own"! For no extra charge a very nice guy comes out, pumps my gas & brings me a receipt. And I thank God for the wonderful people who invented drive-up windows at the bank & the coffee shop! When my kids were little, I used to drive out of my way to take advantage of that ease -- necessitating a quicker return to that very nice guy who pumps my gas...

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K.P.

answers from New York on

I always look for a place to pay at the pump b/c it freaks me out too. However, it has happened on occasion that AFTER pumping the gas and swiping the card you get the "please see attendant" message... gr.... so yes, I will leave him in the car as long as I can see him, which in those cases meant moving the car into a parking spot next to the window. I have left him in the car too when I need to return library books- park on the curb and run the books up to the drop.

I wouldn't leave my son in the car and go into a store where I couldn't see him every second, but if I am running into the gas station to get milk and he's sleeping- yes.

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R.P.

answers from Cleveland on

IF i had the kids with me (i only have one) i would get in the car, move it close to the door and get out and go in and pay then get back in the car this way your closer to the kids

2 moms found this helpful

C.W.

answers from Las Vegas on

I take my lil one out. It doesn't take long to kidnap a child and nothing in the gas station is worth losing my daughter.

Pedos and creeps are everywhere and I still go out I just don't leave my daughter in the car or at the park or whereever by herself, probably not until she's quite a bit older. I am also the mom who will wait until the mom of the alone kids comes out to make sure nothing happens.. I waited 25 mins one time at the college where the girl left her baby and 4 yr old in the car, I did not have nice words for her.

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L.R.

answers from Harrisburg on

use a debit card at the pump..if you can't pay at the pump, go somewhere else. My kids are too precious to even take the chance

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L.M.

answers from New York on

When my kids were little, pay at the pump was just developing. I would gas up when I didn't have the kids with me. There was also a full service station which was a little out of the way, but I would go there occassionally.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

I take my kids in with me.

I also always lock my doors when I'm standing there pumping gas. I don't understand people that leave their driver's door wide open. Especially when they are on the other side of the car. That's just asking for someone to take it!

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C.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Make Dad fill the car with gas for you, otherwise take the kids in, or pull up to a pay at the pump.

Okay Sue W...here it is. It doesn't matter if things happened 15 years ago or yesterday, the fact is it happens.

Years ago, I worked for a auto dealership. A Mom and her daughter were traveling through California and she stopped at a station to pump gas. While she was pumping gas, a man jumped in her car and took off with the car with her 6 or 7 year old child. He drove the car over the state line and into Nevada and stopped at the dealership I worked at and tried to steal a car, all the while, holding this child, who was crying and screaming in fear. He ended up in the main showroom and when everyone surrounded him to get him to surrender the child. He took her by the hair and was banging her head on the tile floor. While he was distracted with them trying to talk to him, one of the lot porters crawled on the floor from behind him and grabbed the little girl and ran with her. They later learned the whole story that she was kidnapped. My daughter is 5 right now, and I don't chance any lunatic touching her.

As well, although she was a run a way, one of my sisters best friends ran away at a very young age. A man (Singleton) picked her up, raped her, maimed her, and left her for dead. There are weirdos out there and they are in California and everywhere else! Google Mary Vincent and take a look. When you grew up with someone and it happens to them, you realize how easy it can happen and it's real.

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J.C.

answers from Kansas City on

I know I'm a little late but I just now saw your question. I work for a gas station and my suggestion is NEVER leave your kids in the car. I've seen several things happen to cars in my parking lot (granted they didn't have kids in the car at the time) but it could have just as easily been a car with a child inside who's parent ran inside just for a quick second. Now that I'm a parent myself I personally would never do this just for what I've seen in my time with my company. If for some reason I dont want to get her out I will wait until a time she's not with me, my husband is with me, or a time when I will get her out.

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S.T.

answers from New York on

When my kids were little I always went through the aggravation of taking them out of their seats and bringing them in. Paranoid maybe - but it only takes a split second and I'd never ever forgive myself. When my DD mentioned something that made me realize my DH would leave the kids in the car I was pretty upset an dmade sure he would never do that again. At the time he was a NYPD uniformed police officer and in his mind our neighborhood was so safe in comparison to where he worked that he never thought kids would be grabbed or hurt in our bucolic town.

We probably are paranoid - the chances of anything happening are very very slim...

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M.R.

answers from Chicago on

I always pay at the pump for gas for this very reason. I can stay right by the car and make silly faces at my kids while I pump the gas. I would never leave them in the car while I ran inside.

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P.B.

answers from Spartanburg on

I would never, ever, under no circumstances tleave the kids in the car without me, not even for a quick run to pay...too dangerous! I don't think there's such thing as being over-protective or paranoid, there are many psychos out-there and you never know when they'll strike...

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M.G.

answers from Chicago on

I would leave my kids in the car LOCKED, but I think it is illegal in my state to do that, so now I just don't go inside anymore.

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A.H.

answers from Chicago on

I agree - it's a pain to unbuckle them, esp if it's raining, sleeting, one is sleeping, whatever. But I NEVER leave my kids in the car. For one second, ever. That's just me. I'll have no regrets. That being said, I always try to go to a gas station that takes credit cards at the pump so it's generally a non-issue.

FYI my best friend from high school (who also lives in a smaller town) left her sleeping baby locked in the car on a nice temperate day for about 1 minute while she dashed into the dermatologist's office (that had windows so you can see the parking lot) to grab some cream they had ready and waiting for her, already paid for. Someone witnessed her leave the baby and actually called the police. When she came back out, she decided to go ahead and nurse the baby before running her other errands so she was still there when the police came...and they gave her a citation for leaving the baby in the car. She wasn't feeling like mom of the year even though what she did was pretty innocent. You just never know.

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L.C.

answers from Raleigh on

We only have one debit card, so when hubby has it and I have to use cash, I park at the pump that's next to the door, lock the car, run in(i can see the car ) and run out, it takes 2 seconds.

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S.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

I find a gas station where I can pay at the pump. Or the kids go inside with me. Unless I can literally see the car from where i'm paying the attendant.

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E.K.

answers from Duluth on

Never ever do I leave my children in the car. Tough toodles that I have to get them in and out just to "run in real quick". There are way harder things about parenting than the inconvenience of getting kids in and out of belts and car seats. FWIW -- My kids are 5 & 10.

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T.B.

answers from Bloomington on

I always pay at the pump. I am also traumatized by Oprah and, of course, my own mother who is a safety freak! I think each state has it's own laws about this...I don't even know what mine are. I also live in a very small town and will leave them and lock the car if it is literally a matter of seconds (dropping off library books at outside slot). But the gas station is a different story because of the explosion horror stories!

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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

I pay at the pump.
If she's asleep and/or I can't pay at the pump, I just park at the spot thats 2 feet away from the door and lock her in. I go to the same exact Chevron and Arco everytime. I do wait until there's no one in line, and my car has tinted windows....almost limo tint in the back so you can't even see my child to want to steal her. I feel pretty safe.
I don't do this all of the time of course, but i'll admit I have done it, and i'll even admit I will probably do it again.
I usually get more worried when she is with me holding my hand (and trying to let go) that someone could easily snatch her and run, rather then having her in a locked car 2 feet away from me, well hidden behind tinted windows and someone having to break into my locked car to get her, while I am obviously starring at my car. Again thats not to say I leave her in the car everytime I go somewhere, I am just always more cautious of telling her she HAS to hold my hand and the people that are close to/around us.
To each their own though. You need to do what you feel comfortable with. =)

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M.C.

answers from Minneapolis on

I am fairly leanent on the leaving kids in the car to run into the house, a friends house..other places for seconds, I would NEVER, EVER, leave my child in the car at a gas station anywhere, and I would NEVER lock them in at the gas station. In fact I practice unlocking the car every time I gas it up just in case. You just never know. If I had run into the store to pay and the station start on fire or something like that I would want my kids doors unlocked in the off chance someone else could quick get them out. Thats just me. I am paranoid about this one. In fact I hardly ever gas up with the kids. Just can't get myself to do it...unless we are traveling.

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A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

i think this depends a WHOLE lot on where you live. yes, it can happen anywhere. but i live in a pretty nice area, very suburban with lots of money (except me! lol) and low crime. so yes, i leave my son in the car. i also keep an eye on him (most gas stations have glass fronts, all windows), and lock the car doors. where i grew up (small town) i never would have thought twice about it (tho i hope i would still lock the doors :) now that i am "citified" i do it, but i am very aware of what's going on around me. that said, it's pretty easy to avoid, between pay at the pump, and doing it when he's not with me. so i try to do that.

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J.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I leave my kid in the car while i pay for gas, but i make sure i see my car and my child.

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

"I don't live in Compton.".....errrrr *side eye*

anyhooo...my hubby is on permanent gas duty. on the rare occasion that i have to gas up i always pay at the pump. i rarely carry cash.

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L.S.

answers from San Francisco on

in many states it is against the law to leave your kids unattended in the car even if for only a couple of minutes or a minute. It doesn't matter how long. You can get DCF (department of Children and Family services) knocking at your door. A friend of mine just went across the street to put a package in the mail and the police were called. She was pulled over on her way home and has three visits from DCF. Perhaps you can get a credit card of ATM card that you can put gas money on and only use that for gas so that you don't have to go inside and leave the kids in the car.

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K.N.

answers from Harrisburg on

I think "limabean" said it best....I love her response!!

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C.T.

answers from Dallas on

I don't get gas unless I pay at the pump, but if I had to pay cash then I would move my car right in front of the door so I could watch my kids through the glass. Doors locked. When we were little gas station attendents filled up the car. At least that's the way it was done when I was very little. The good ol days!!

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L.P.

answers from Pittsfield on

I always go to a station that has pay at the pump or where they pump the gas because I'm not comfortable leaving them in the car AND because I don't want to try to haul 4 kids inside to pay. Sometimes I plan ahead and get gas when it's convenient but I don't necessarily need it. That way hopefully I won't have to stop when I have them with me.

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L.S.

answers from Las Vegas on

Yeah it is a pain, but is sooo worth it! Use a Atm card or credit card. I know here in NV it is against the law-and I am almost sure it is there. I bet Your guilt o meter would go really high if something happened to them? Just sayin!
People do it at the Preschool all the time bc they don't want to unbuckle the kids-yeah a pain, but oh well The joys of being a mom. LOL! I talked to the teacher bc they put it in the newsletter and she talked to the police and here it is against the law for under 12 or 13 years of age.
I posted a question similar to this a few weeks back after we confroneted a mom who left 3 kids in the car while it was running-UUUGGGHHHH!!!!!
Just leave a few minutes early and do the right thing! :) L.
Like someone else said-my kids are too precious to want to take a short cut just bc it is a pin in the butt! :)

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