At what age is ok to leave DC in car for 2 mins?

[Drummingisfun]

I'm curious what people think about this situation.
If I go to the post office to collect or post a parcel it normally takes me less than 3 mins to go in and out.
Currently it takes me longer to get dc unbuckled from car seats and back in again than I currently spend in the post office itself. Last time we went DS askes if he could just stay in the car because it's annoying to get out and straight back in.
DC are 4.5yrs and 2.5 years, both in a 5 point harness so unable to get out of the car if I left them.

The shop is glass fronted so I can see if there is a queue from the car before I go in. Car is parked in a little car park directly in front of the post office, so I can see the car the whole time I am in there.
I can lock my car and disable the alarm (to avoid dc setting it off by fidgeting!).

Would IBU to leave them in the car for 3 mins?

I think with the petrol one it’s to do with the car catching fire while you’re paying. I saw something about it a while ago......

I don’t know the answer op but it’s much easier just running in on your own isn’t it. I think if I could see them the whole time I probably would do it.

My daughter is 1 and I would leave her in the car provided it was the circumstances you describe - rural-ish, not busy, small car park, visible, not near a main road, no longer than 3 minutes etc.

I do it.

I think it totally depends on the child. If you are sure they won't upset each other/ fight and are happy and you can see the car and they will sit contentedly for 5 mins that's fine .

Children have been known to be able to get out of harnesses so I think if there was any chance of that I wouldn't leave them at that age as they could then get out of the car and into the road.

I think the key here is you can see the car so if anything did happen e.g. saw them fighting/ out of seat you could be there in an instant.

The arguments about car being hit/ exploding are crazy there is as much likelihood of that in the post office itself.

The most dangerous thing you can do is put your child in a car and drive so I weigh most things up according to that ie much much more likely to be in a crash while driving then spontaneous combustion, car driving into parked car or someone taking child. I have left a 5yo for maybe 4/5min while I ran to atm/shop. He could see me, until door, and I could see him Inc inside. I have sleeping baby where I could see him for up to 5 min while collecting older child at school gate.

mikado you are right, I hadn't thought about it like that. Both mine are in extended rear facing seats to reduce risk but obviously that doesn't prevent an accident, just makes injury less likely if you end up in one.