Remote Start/Leaving Kids in Car

[HLAuburn]

My car keyfob has a remote start function that turns the engine on and starts up the A/C (or heat). In order to use it, the car has to be locked first. So the engine is running, doors are locked, A/C is on, and I have the keys in my hand.

Is there any situation you would leave the kids in the car with it running like that? Would it depend on the ages and whether they were strapped in carseats (and couldn't get out)? Or would you never do it under any circumstances?

Just curious!

 

[diznygirl]

It only runs for 10 minutes before the engine shuts off without the key in the ignition.

No, NEVER!

 

[SCHBR'smom]

I have the same thing. The only time my kids have been left in it running like that is in my driveway while I've had to run back in the house to get something I forgot. I never leave my kids in the car anywhere for any reason.

 

[HLAuburn]

The only time my kids have been left in it running like that is in my driveway while I've had to run back in the house to get something I forgot. I never leave my kids in the car anywhere for any reason.

So is your driveway OK?

 

[SCHBR'smom]

So is your driveway OK?

I do in my driveway because our house is set back pretty far from the road and I'm in and out before anyone could make it up my driveway. I don't leave my kids by themselves in public places. Seems like too much of a risk to me to run into a store or anything. If I have to go into a gas station to pay, I pull them all out. If I have to run into the post office for stamps, I pull them all out. I've kept them all in the garage to run in the house too, the garage door always stays open. When leaving in the rain, I will load one and go get another so the one waiting doesn't get soaked.

 

[All American]

No. If I really need something that I forgot, I just bring my daughter back in with me. She's five, so it's not a big hassle just a little slowgoing at times. Otherwise, I just remember to do that thing/pick up that item on my next trip.

 

[SCHBR'smom]

No. If I really need something that I forgot, I just bring my daughter back in with me. She's five, so it's not a big hassle just a little slowgoing at times. Otherwise, I just remember to do that thing/pick up that item on my next trip.

I have 3 younger than your 1, not so easy for me. I try to send my oldest back in when I can and just stand outside.

 

[LuvOrlando]

-

 

[hillview]

I'll play
I'd leave my kids in the drive way WITHOUT the car running while I can see them (asleep in the car seat, me sitting watching the car). We live in a "safe" neighborhood. But they are never out of eyesight. I'd leave them in a car to say get a cup of coffee as you describe in the right area -- very low traffic / safe area within eye sight the entire time no massive line. I'd only do it if they were in their carseat.

I have never done this, we don't have a starter etc, in general I'd feel safer without the car running. I think I've left DS in the car and gotten a paper when he was sleeping, car locked within eye sight etc. But I live in a semi-urban place. If I lived in the country, I'd be more ok with running in for something. Unrestrained, I would never leave a child in a running car.
/hillary

 

[SCHBR'smom]

I've never really considered the car to be running because it won't move. The key is not in the ignition, it just gets the a/c or heater running to cool or heat the car.

It's nice when your loading groceries, the car starts cooling off before you get or the defroster starts defrosting the window before you get in. You don't have to wait so long to see out the window on cold mornings. And I love not burning my legs when I first sit down in the summer.

 

[brockash]

Hmmm.... in our state leaving a child in a car (running or not) without supervision, is considered at the least, child neglect. Is it not in all states? Honestly, I've left mine in the car in the garage while I've run in the house to get something, and I really don't know if that's technically against the law, but otherwise no.

 

[Avalon_toon]

We have a remote starter like that - the car won't move without the key in the ignition, and if anyone steps on the gas or the brake pedal without the key, the car shuts off, so its not going to go anywhere no matter what (kids can't crash the car while unsupervised, thief can't steal it.) But - just leaving the kids alone at all is the issue. I personally think if you can see the children in the car, and you are only a few steps away, it is not much different than leaving them in your family room while you run to the laundry room to switch loads - in both cases, you are out of immediate reach, but not out of range to respond rapidly if necessary. In fact, if the kids are bucked into five-point harnesses in the car, its probably safer than popping downstairs to do laundry. But I agree with the previous poster who said, in many places it is not legal to do, so you shouldn't do it for any reason if that is the case in your area.

 

[aprilgail2]

I wouldn't have done it while my daughter was young enough to be in a car seat but at 9 years old she will stay in the car while I run into a store or the bank with it running with the A/C on. She is old enough to go down to the store on her own so she is certainly old enough to sit in a car by herself!

 

[happygirl]

When I'm pumping gas or when I return movies through the drop slot. Other then that nope

 

[luvmy3]

My kids are 5 through 11 and I have left them in the car to run into Stewarts to grab some milk or bread. I have never left them with the key in the ignition but if it were a hot day I would use my remote starter to keep the AC on (no key though). I also park where I'll be able to see them and if there isn't a spot the they have to come in with me.

 

[Creekermom]

If I am standing next to my car to pump gas other wise she comes with me.

I waited 14 years for this child and there is no way I am going to live with making a mistake that could cost her life.

 

[Imzadi]

A woman on Oprah did it a few years ago. She ran into a 7/11 to grab a coffee really quick. Her son was sleeping in the back and she didn't want to disturb him, for the moment she'd be gone. She knew she could see out the window clearly if something happened. Well, she did see a man run up with a brick, smash the door window in an open the car and jump in. She ran to the car screaming her kid was in the backseat. Please let her grab her kid and he can have her car.

He didn't wait. He sped off while she halfway had her kid out. She thought she had a hold of him. Only he was caught with the car carrier strap around his foot. She couldn't put her boy back into the car as the man was driving off too fast. The man ended up dragging the little boy for about 20-30 ft., killing him.

The man ended up in jail for a carjacking that ended up being a murder. The woman never forgave herself for wanting to take moment to get a cup of coffee, not turning off her car, and not taking the time to take her son in with her. She also couldn't forgive herself for the fact that if she hadn't tried to take her son out, he may have been okay in the car.

 

[JennaTX]

A woman on Oprah did it a few years ago. She ran into a 7/11 to grab a coffee really quick. Her son was sleeping in the back and she didn't want to disturb him, for the moment she'd be gone. She knew she could see out the window clearly if something happened. Well, she did see a man run up with a brick, smash the door window in an open the car and jump in. She ran to the car screaming her kid was in the backseat. Please let her grab her kid and he can have her car.

He didn't wait. He sped off while she halfway had her kid out. She thought she had a hold of him. Only he was caught with the car carrier strap around his foot. She couldn't put her boy back into the car as the man was driving off too fast. The man ended up dragging the little boy for about 20-30 ft., killing him.

The man ended up in jail for a carjacking that ended up being a murder. The woman never forgave herself for wanting to take moment to get a cup of coffee, not turning off her car, and not taking the time to take her son in with her. She also couldn't forgive herself for the fact that if she hadn't tried to take her son out, he may have been okay in the car.

OMG that poor woman what a horrible story!!

But that is totally different with the remotes that cars now have. You can have your child in the car with the a/c or heat on, but you still have the keys, so there could not be a carjacking.

My kids are 10 and 6, so I will leave them in a car while I run into the local corner store for milk with the a/c running, but I can see them and I have the keys to the car.

 

[aprilgail2]

A woman on Oprah did it a few years ago. She ran into a 7/11 to grab a coffee really quick. Her son was sleeping in the back and she didn't want to disturb him, for the moment she'd be gone. She knew she could see out the window clearly if something happened. Well, she did see a man run up with a brick, smash the door window in an open the car and jump in. She ran to the car screaming her kid was in the backseat. Please let her grab her kid and he can have her car.

He didn't wait. He sped off while she halfway had her kid out. She thought she had a hold of him. Only he was caught with the car carrier strap around his foot. She couldn't put her boy back into the car as the man was driving off too fast. The man ended up dragging the little boy for about 20-30 ft., killing him.

The man ended up in jail for a carjacking that ended up being a murder. The woman never forgave herself for wanting to take moment to get a cup of coffee, not turning off her car, and not taking the time to take her son in with her. She also couldn't forgive herself for the fact that if she hadn't tried to take her son out, he may have been okay in the car.

That is a scary story but could not happen if you leave your car running with an auto start- you have no keys in the ignition and the second they step on the brake to get the car out of gear it dies on the spot- you can not drive a car with an auto start if you dont have the key to put in the ignition.

 

[diznygirl]

OMG that poor woman what a horrible story!!

But that is totally different with the remotes that cars now have. You can have your child in the car with the a/c or heat on, but you still have the keys, so there could not be a carjacking.

My kids are 10 and 6, so I will leave them in a car while I run into the local corner store for milk with the a/c running, but I can see them and I have the keys to the car.

That is a scary story but could not happen if you leave your car running with an auto start- you have no keys in the ignition and the second they step on the brake to get the car out of gear it dies on the spot- you can not drive a car with an auto start if you dont have the key to put in the ignition.

No one can drive away with the car, but they could still take the children. Or a child can open the car from the inside and get out and wander off. Auto-start gives you a false sense of security.