Exactly Arna. In regards to what Kath wrote, that would be equivalent to telling people to get a life and use some more common sense because they dob in child abuse. Children's safety is everyone's business.

I know that this discussion got heated etc, but no one even considered changing the circumstances, and yet, the responsibility is still exactly the same.  It's only because I spent half the night thinking about it, that I realised it is the same myself.

Thanks for providing those - If accidents can be prevented, especially with those we love, why wouldn't we take extra precaution to prevent it from happening?

Absolutely... Like shouldn't the death or injury of one baby/toddler/child be enough to set off alarm bells with any parent?

These kind of statements just don't cut it with me: 

" The chances of anything happening are really slim."

" I know what the law is, but I am making the decision about my child."

" I don't like people telling me what to do with my children."

You know what, if people used their own initiative to minimise the risk to their children by not doing things like this, then they wouldn't have to bring in a law regarding it.  How many children need to die, be injured or kidnapped before it sinks in.  THIS IS NOT A SAFE PRACTICE; to continue it when you are educated and aware of the dangers is NEGLIGENCE.

To ignore existing proof of the dangers; to choose to put your child at risk; to flaunt the law that was created to save lives; to presume to know what your baby/toddler/child will do when you aren't in the car with them; to believe that there isn't someone disreputable in the vicinity watching you?!?!?!  I can't think of any excuse that I would find acceptable.  There are risks and safety issues that we are unable to control, like natural disasters, or illness; the rest are calculated risks that we take; some can be avoided altogether leaving babies/toddlers or kids alone in cars is one of them... Did anyone mention that the law also applies to pets in Australia?

PS  I'm really glad that racechick23 was brave enough to ask a question about a really important topic like this so that we could participate in the discussion.

110% with you on this one Arna, this is a risk that can be avoided, so in my opinion there is NO EXCUSE to do it.  You'd be surprised how often it happens, I even have Jaydee on lookout as we go through car parks.  Schools and day cares are the worst places for it; I don't know what the hell those parents are thinking. 

When we moved to the country I had to ask Stephen's parents and brother for their cooperation in keeping all the cars locked and the keys out of reach.  If Jaydee is ever in a car alone for any reason he knows that he is to lean on that horn until someone comes to help, (I have no idea how this could happen, but we try to give him strategies for safety anyway).

However it is since we moved to the country that I have had a few run ins, people seem ignorant to the extent that a potential kidnapper or paedophile will go to. let alone the danger from the heat.  Did they not consider that their child (even if left in a restraint), could easily get out and take off the hand brake etc? 

Yes, the risk is slim, however in taking it, parents choose to put their child in danger that they could otherwise avoid, I agree with you, (and the law in every state and territory in Australia) entirely, it is neglect which is actually a form of child abuse; the failure to provide basic necessities, for example: Adequate care; safe environment, appropriate shelter, nutritional food, educational opportunities medical care, and emotional support, are some examples.  It also includes failure to leave a child in the supervision of safe adults, and abandonment.

Our girls school reported the P&C president today for leaving their 3 year old in the car while dropping the older kids off!  How funny is it that this discussion comes up, and another parent does it in a school and they were raving at the fete about child safety being everyones responsibility!!!

Lean on the horn.  Hhhmmm, yeah,  do that here, and you are likely to have   a bull up your tail! rofl.  Still, that is certainly one way to gain attention, and kids love it.  Having a back up plan never hurts.  We've even started taking house keys outside with us, even though we are just at the door, because our 3 year old has worked out how to lock us out!  Never thought of the hand brake.  Yikes!  Kid in charge of deadly weapon does not sound like my idea of a fun day out!

There were a couple of stories out of the US were a 5 yr old and a 7 yr old drove their respective parents cars on the road! Fortunately they werent hurt or killed so always put your keys up high!

December 27 2008 5yr old child injured after driving family car off cliff Hunter Valley NSW

May 12 2009 2yr old toddler drives into street sign Colorado Springs

"Usually these things are controversial for a reason... usually because it is the wrong thing to do" 

things are "controversial" because the community at large has differing opinions on said topics. just thought i would correct you on that.

the rest is your opinion.

i was refering to the words used here more than the topic. but since you mentioned it.

i know it is illegal. not entirely stupid though i may act it sometimes. but i base my decisions on gut instinct and not on what someone else says. and if anyone ever attempted to dob on me like some schoolyard know it all for leaving a responsible 6 year old in the locked and imobalised car with my sleeping toddler in nasty weather while i paid for some petrol can see the car the entire time and am ready to absolutly bolt out the door at any given second (my cardio strength is top notch and i can run like the wind) to stop some idiot trying to break in... (btw they would be in pieces when i got hold of them and would probably need an ambulence) then i'd say go find a life grow some common sence and not be so mench like.

anyway back to the comment, what was said here was an opressive comment with regards to the majority inflicting their opinion on the minority by force. in laymens terms, there are plenty of controversial issues including areas of polotics and law, health and even parenting that the majority are in the wrong but because they are majority they have the power and in turn can brainwash more average citizens into their way of thinking and thus their power continues. i am probably not explaining myself really well but niether was the authour of that comment which was basically all i was attempting to point out.

happy day to all from becca.

Brent is my fiance' all I was saying Kathryn is what he meant to say so others didn't get confused. I'm not really interested in debating the nuts and bolts of majority and minority, I honestly have better things to do. I think you read too far in to my comment and are over reacting just a tad there. I will continue to report people for breaking the law and endangering their children when it can be fully prevented. I have a fantastic life thank you (achieved more in my life than most 40 year olds). I'd have to say people who are aware of danger and prevent it have much more common sense than that of someone who continues to ignore it and put their own child at danger. I think you should take a breather and calm down a little.

If majority sway one way it is usually for a very good reason. I know what Brent was trying to say there.

And if it is illegal then it is wrong in the eyes of the law but not necessarily wrong in the eyes of the people.

They don't make a law unless it is for the good of the majority.  It is only a minority that still seems to think it is ok to leave kids in a car or not even put a seatbelt on them.  There have been what, 3 child abductions in cars here in SE Queensland over the last 6 months, that is 3 too many.

Yup I agree with that

Tell that to the McCains! There daughter was taken from a hotel room. i know everyone has their opinion but in Adelaide a no of children have been abducted from their bedrooms even when adults have been in the house. Never ever leave children alone any where!

a hotel is not home. that is a pathetic comparison and your argument using it is totally full of holes.

wanna know something else, dont fall off your seat now... we do our martial arts training in our dojo in the back yard (and that is noisy so i dont hear everything) oh and we sometimes have a drink with 4 kids unattended in our house... and the back door is not locked... would you like my address... feel like calling DOCS yet!!!

please dont try to tell me that you never leave your childrens side (no school or daycare or friends houses??)... i did that for two and a half years with my son and it drove me insane but i was so terrified by all the dogma that i went into panic the minute i had to leave the house and many times decided not to go and do things i needed to do because of the fear that something would happen to him. i have since decided that i would not let people use scare tactics on me to confine my or my childrens life ever again. i rely on my own instincts and NOTHING else. if i feel it is safe i will do one thing, if i feel it is unsafe i will do something else. that is what i am happy doing. frankly that has nothing to do with anyone else.

they'll have to report me too cause my kids are there on friday's asleep inside while we train and drink.

I have left me kids at home while I was at a party next door. I did come and check them every hour. I also used to leave my baby at home while I went and cleaned my next door neighbours house. I would take her baby monitor over the hose so I could hear everything that went on.

I guess I'll get reported cos I have left ratbag there as well during training. ha ha we can be the three amigos!!!

I'm sure the family will appreciate your comment. There is a thing called discussion with tact....

once again... i was refering to the comparison, not the event itself.

While you aren't able to control whether or not an aeroplane falls on your house, you are able to decide whether to minimise the risk of your children being in danger in a car alone, or whether you keep them with you to maximise their safety.  I am sure that parents of children who have died in cars, or been kidnapped from them, or stolen along with them also thought there was a 'slim chance'.  The point here is you have an option to ensure there is no risk of this happening; yet you choose not to. 

Depends on the situation.  I believe that it would be much higher risk for me to take four children out of the car, and herd three of them, while holding one, across an area where cars are manoeuvring to the pumps at a service station to pay for petrol, then herd them back , to keep them safe from a car-jacker.

Whatever happens to my kids, I will feel guilty.  I would probably blame myself if anything happened to them if they fell down a hill or hurt themselves in their bedroom.  I could minimise the risk even more if I just stayed home all the time, and sent my husband out at 11pm to do the shopping.  No running or climbing, no wearing Crocs, no going out the back in case of sunburn.  How on earth did anyone grow to adulthood in the past, before all these rules came in?

I have in the past lined a shopping trolley with blankets and put my sleeping son (3) in the bottom of it, so I could do the shopping because he fell asleep unexpectedly.  They say you shouldn't put your kids in the front of the trolley, because it's dangerous.

Each situation should be judged separately, and people should be a bit less quick to judge others' decisions.

i agree life is never so black and white. and telling a parent off when she chose to seek opinion and experience here in QA like she is some naughty toddler i doubt was ever the point. advice, opinion and especially experience are totally fine. but attempting to make her feel like a bad parent... i am sorry but that is never ok!

Who is attempting to make race feel like a bad mother? I only see comments directed at the issue. Leaving children in the car is the issue not that race is a bad person. Fantastic people can make bad choices.

But in this situation, I child was at risk of harm.  How on earth is someone walking down the street to know how long the child has been in the car?  Or where the parent/s are?  The parents could be at the local pub and the child could have been there for 20 mins or more.  You just never know.

I have a very bad habit of quickly checking the backseats of cars, especially if there are car seats in them, to make sure that there are no children in there.  Thankfyully, I haven't found any unnattended children yet, but I know the day will come when I do find a child alone  and I will call the police, it is my responsibility (and every member of the public) to report such neglect.  It is the same with dogs too.

That's exactly right but I wasn't talking about those people I was talking about me LOL

I have called the police before and I have no problem doing it again should I feel the child is in danger.

janice your link appears to be broken .  it leads me to 3 options to click on  they are all for trans tech publication . i thought i would let you know

anniexxx

 http://blogs.brisbanetimes.com.au/eyeq/archives/2009/01/precious_cargo.html  Will try again, thanks annie.