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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I complained this woman and it may result in the police being called..

104 replies

Fisharefriendsnotfood · 22/02/2012 13:03

Dropping the kids to nursery this morning I saw a woman leave her dc aged about 4 in the car while she brought younger dc in to nursery. She left the car window open and the engine running!!!

I nearly said something but she looked so angry I chickened out though. So, this afternoon I had a word with nursery manager about it and she said that she saw this herself one day last week and had a word with the mother but obviously nothing has changed.

Nursery manager is going to have another word and failing that we agreed that the police should probably be informed.

So, am I an interferring old cow? Car out of sight and mum gone about 5 mins.

OP posts:
altinkum · 22/02/2012 13:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CointreauVersial · 22/02/2012 13:19

When I'm defrosting the car in the morning I put the kids IN it, so no-one is tempted to pinch the car while I'm running around the house getting ready to leave. A car thief would get more than they bargained for!

Mine are 12, 10 and 8, though, so it's not quite the same.

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 22/02/2012 13:20

Ah, "down with the kids" - I get it! Grin

LaurieFairyCake · 22/02/2012 13:21

She's an idiot if she's left the keys in the ignition but I would have no problem if she'd locked the car with the 4 year old inside - people do that all the time when they go for short trips into the shop/cashpoint/dropping something off.

Gribble · 22/02/2012 13:21

I promise I dont speak like Ali G in real life Grin

MaisyMooCow · 22/02/2012 13:23

altinkum put safety provisions in place ..what, like leaving the key in the ignition and the engine running. Hmm

WorraLiberty · 22/02/2012 13:24

If the car was out of sight, how did the nursery manager see it?

altinkum · 22/02/2012 13:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Hecubasdaughter · 22/02/2012 13:25

YANBU, like you OP it's the engine running that's the issue and yes it is illegal.

MaisyMooCow · 22/02/2012 13:27

altinkum Oh and really is their any need to be rude, as far as I can see I am on the same planet as you!! I may have a differing opinion, but we are breathing the same air, from our "planet"!!

Who's being rude, I'm stating MY opinion.

Original poster
Fisharefriendsnotfood · 22/02/2012 13:27

worra she was going out to her car

OP posts:
Pantone363 · 22/02/2012 13:28

Meh.

I leave my kids in the car all the time, not with the keys in it admittedly.

Those crazy mothers who tramp 3 kids into the shop for milk and then tramp them all back to the car are nuts.

altinkum · 22/02/2012 13:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaisyMooCow · 22/02/2012 13:30

At the end of the day it's down to the individual making a judgement. If YOU feel your child is safe then do it.

sharenicely · 22/02/2012 13:30

I would report, especially as the nursery manager has already spoken to her and nothing has changed.
The police may well speak to her, they may not.
I don't see much wrong with her running in and leaving the child strapped in and the car locked but with the engine running it is bloody dangerous.
Very bad for the environment aswell!

Hecubasdaughter · 22/02/2012 13:30

Its not really leaving the child in the car that's the issue in this instance. It's the fact the engine was running at the time.

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 22/02/2012 13:30

Safeguarding does not only mean reducing the risk of danger. If danger can be eliminated completely then it should be. And in this case, the risk of the child overheating, playing with buttons,or being stolen, could be completely eliminated.

There is also a risk that a four year old could let themselves out of the car to go looking for mummy and end up being run over. Another risk that could be eliminated if this woman could be bothered to care for her children properly.

Ephiny · 22/02/2012 13:30

I wouldn't have done what she did. But it doesn't sound like a police matter to me Confused

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 22/02/2012 13:32

I apologise if you think I was rude, I'm just shocked that someone doesn't think that a child being stolen along with a car is a significant risk.

littleducks · 22/02/2012 13:33

I normally leave mine in an unlocked car, so if something horrendous did happen I/somebody else could get them out quickly. I have never left the engine running but have left the keys in so that CD player keeps working.

SanctiMoanyArse · 22/02/2012 13:33

The keys bit is- ahem- key IMO

And not because of theft risks but because most 4 year olds can get a seat harness off and if there are keys in that becomes a risk factor for handbrakes etc.

altinkum · 22/02/2012 13:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

IUseTooMuchKitchenRoll · 22/02/2012 13:38

Fine, but leaving a four year old child alone for five minutes in a car with it's engine running is not minimising the risk of anything. No matter how well they are strapped in or how much ventilation you leave.

Tiredtrout · 22/02/2012 13:38

Sorry, it is an offence to leave a vehicle with the engine running without anyone who is old enough and licensed to drive in it, it's called quitting, can't remember though if it's a ticket for £30 or 3 points and £60 fine. I try and avoid trafficy stuff. Either way it is a stupid thing to do and she needs spoken to because of the car theft thingy as well

ZuzuBailey · 22/02/2012 13:39

It is illegal to leave your car engine running. Look at this.

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