Kids left in cars

Just walked past a car in a town centre car park, and the alarm was going off, so I looked at the car and through the windscreen there was kid sitting in there probably 4-5 years old. I looked around and the only person there was a woman who I thought at the time was the mother getting a ticket at the machine about 20yds away, looking nervously at the car. So I thought OK, and went to the shops.

Came back 5 minutes or so later, and the alarm is still going off, no sign of that woman, and the kid's still in the car and it certainly has been for at least the 3 or 4 minutes I've been away. The car is obviously locked and secure as the alarm is going off, and the kid looks like it's quite happy patiently waiting.

I then walked across the car park got into my car on the other side of the car park, saw 25 degrees Celsius on the dashboard, and my climate control come on full blast. So I think 'Bolox, looks OK or not, I can't leave that kid locked in that car', so I drove back round the car park to where the car was, and the car had gone. It is possible the kid was only there for 4 or 5 minutes.

Now I'm wondering whether I did the right thing initially, the woman at the ticket machine might just have been another bystander, looking at the car because the alarm was going off, but I assumed it was the mother going back to the car as soon as she bought her ticket.

Point of the thread and my question is: What would you do if you saw a kid locked in a car in a public car park in 25 degrees of heat?

[DJ123]

I would call the local plod on their local non emergency number. If they saw an animal in a car they would break it out, same with a kiddie.
That and also hope the parent gets a kick up the rear!

[Fallout]

I would say, give it 5 minutes of your own time and wait. If the situation hasn't changed, calling the plod makes sense to me too. There are so many parents out there that are thick beyond mortal comprehension. Better to be safe than sorry.

Besides, if you called the plod and she came back a few minutes later (i.e. wasn't putting the kid at risk), then she'd drive off none the wiser. Then you can give them a bell and tell them she's left. Not to worry.

How long does it take for a car to reach a dangerous temperature on a hot day? (some expert in dogs must know this). Waiting five minutes of my own time would mean at least ten minutes the kid had been in the car, then another 10 for the plod to turn up. I'd be more inclined to smash a window first.

[yorkie_chris]

Depends what colour it is... my van is only vaguely white (it was, once), and it's not too bad. The works van is grey and heats up really quickly in comparison. Enough difference to notice.

[Fallout]

I'm guessing you'd hang about after calling the plod? You could then keep an eye on the kid. Bang on the window. Make sure he/she is awake and not crying, suffering, too sleepy etc. If they are, put a brick through the window .... and every other one just to make sure.

I'd be tempted to leave at that point though. The way the law is, you probably get prosecuted for criminal damage.

[littleoldman2]

I would have to dial 999 as the non urgent number 101 is customer services from my mobile. When to intervene is a big problem, however better to be safe than sorry. Intervention may (only may) bring the seriousness of the situation to the attention of the adult. I have struggled to think of any reason for leaving a child that young alone, be it at home in the car or anywhere else.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

How long does it take for a car to reach a dangerous temperature on a hot day? (some expert in dogs must know this). Waiting five minutes of my own time would mean at least ten minutes the kid had been in the car, then another 10 for the plod to turn up. I'd be more inclined to smash a window first.

If the kid looked okay I'd have done what you did, if the kid seemed in distress it's a different matter.

Originally Posted by -Ralph-

How long does it take for a car to reach a dangerous temperature on a hot day? (some expert in dogs must know this). Waiting five minutes of my own time would mean at least ten minutes the kid had been in the car, then another 10 for the plod to turn up. I'd be more inclined to smash a window first.

In this part of the world it is illegal and socially unacceptable to leave a child (or animal) unattended in a car for the same reasons being discussed. The lessons were learned the hard way. There was some research has been done on this in Australia and IIRC temperatures can reach dangerous levels, as much as double the outside temperature in the sort of time frame that you mention.

Bricking a window and getting the police on the scene is the responsible thing to do. Here we also have good Samaritan laws (in some states) which in most situations absolve liability when aiding others. I'd be surprised if you don't have something similar.

[embee]

Originally Posted by MattCollins

......Here we also have good Samaritan laws (in some states) which in most situations absolve liability when aiding others. I'd be surprised if you don't have something similar.

Are you kidding? In France you are actually obliged to try and help.

No, here in the good old UK you'll get done if you touch anything or anyone. Best to leave everything alone and watch them die.

(No, I don't really mean that last bit.......... )