The short answer to this very important question is: Yes. Never leave your children unattended in or around a vehicle, even for a minute. In California, it is against the law to leave a child under the age of six in a motor vehicle unless supervised by someone at least twelve years of age. The reasons for this important law are tragic and numerous.
Heat Stroke. Most of us are now aware of the danger of hyperthermia as a result of leaving a child (or a pet) in a vehicle. What may be surprising is that even on a mild day, temperatures in a car will rise an average of 19 degrees in the first ten minutes. When the outside temperature is a modest 70 degrees, the temperature in an enclosed vehicle can reach 120 degrees. Heatstroke occurs when the body’s temperature reaches 104 degrees and is considered to be lethal at 107 degrees.
Shifting Gears. Children left in cars have shifted the transmission or released the parking break with tragic consequences. Harrison’s Story (www.kidsincars.org) describes the tradgedy of a mother and her son who were struck by a runaway vehicle as a result of a two year old and three year old left in a van "to play". This tragedy occurred even though the parents were standing just behind the vehicle chatting with relatives.
Abduction / Car Theft. Do I really need to explain the concern here? Surprisingly though, some adults will still leave the keys in the car with the children, compounding the risk.
Power Windows / Seats. With or without the keys, some power devices may operate in a car. Children have been pinned and suffocated by the automatic adjusting (programmable) seats like those available in newer luxury cars and SUV’s. Others have been strangled by inadvertently closing a power window as they leaned out.
Exiting. A natural reaction of a child left in a vehicle is to get out and look for their parents. If this happens at a gas station or parking lot, the likelihood of being struck by another vehicle is high.
Trunk. A harmless game of hide and seek can turn tragic for the child who thinks the trunk would be a good hiding place.
If you are still tempted to leave one or more of your children in the car, for "just a minute", please go online and read some of the personal stories at www.kidsincars.org and www.kidsandcars.org.