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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Children in petrol stations

80 replies

Twickerhun · 09/01/2020 07:33

At our local petrol station the staff serving told another customer that children under 16 must stay in the car and not go on the forecourt or to the shop for health and safety reasons. I always thought it was customers choice of you let your kids out of the car? For what it’s worth I would leave the baby in the car when I fill up but if I’m there with teenage children I let the teenagers out of they want to go to the shop. I think it should be parental choice and AIBU to think this rule is too much?

OP posts:
doublebarrellednurse · 09/01/2020 07:35

They are protecting their liability. Lots of places set rules like this, they are betting a kid is more likely to get hit by a car running about on a forecourt than kept in it.

Sadly some parents make shitty decisions and everyone gets told what to do because of it.

Winterwoollies · 09/01/2020 07:36

Well, it’s their petrol station so their rules. I guess with highly flammable liquid and cars moving off and pulling in at regular intervals, something has happened to make them want to implement this rule to keep kids safe.

PineappleDanish · 09/01/2020 07:37

I think the policy is right - but that the age limit is too high.

Heismyopendoor · 09/01/2020 07:37

What about the kids who don’t go to the shop in a car? Weird. I’m with you OP.

negomi90 · 09/01/2020 07:39

Thats ridiculous some children can't be left in a car -they'll be silly. Lots use petrol stops as a good time for emergency toilet trips.

doublebarrellednurse · 09/01/2020 07:42

@Heismyopendoor - why would they be at a petrol station without a car?

Bert2020 · 09/01/2020 07:43

My 3 year old and me walk to our local M&S/BP garage quite regularly for food, that would make us unable to. Surely it should be up to parents to make the judgement call?

starfishmummy · 09/01/2020 07:45

@doublebarrellednurse - because they use the shop.

Heismyopendoor · 09/01/2020 07:46

@doublebarrellednurse round here kids go to the garage for the shop. It’s not rocket science.

AngelicInnocent · 09/01/2020 07:46

Depends if its a shop or a pay kiosk that has a few items to purchase. Also don't know of many petrol stations that have toilets unless they are service stations on motorways or major routes.

starfishmummy · 09/01/2020 07:47

@Bert2020 maybe they are referring to unccompanied children

AJPTaylor · 09/01/2020 08:13

They are bonkers. These places only make money from the shop. Surely kids would be welcomed in?

busybarbara · 09/01/2020 08:20

You would leave a baby alone in a car? Confused with the risk of theft or the car being hit, I’m not sure I could have done that

Newmetoday · 09/01/2020 08:23

I never took my baby in when paying for petrol and I’ve only ever seen one person do it and I though she was mad. It’s far more dangerous.

leckford · 09/01/2020 08:25

Earlier this week I filled up my car at a busy petrol station. Not only cars but HGVs and large Army vehicles use this place. There were small children running around, I thought this was dangerous. There could also be shoplifting issues, M&S shop with wine and other drink

ImGenderfree · 09/01/2020 08:26

Busy Barbara I think the risk of being hit by a car whilst on foot and the level of injuries if I was hit would be greater on foot. I left my babies in the car when I used a petrol station. Plus the second and third were twins so no chance of taking them in. It’s all about an individual’s assessment and choice.

Chocolateorangemochaplease · 09/01/2020 08:28

I certainly wouldn’t leave my 4 year old in the car. She unbuckles her seatbelt and I couldn’t be 100% sure that she wouldn’t get out the car and come to find me. I would rather have her with me and be in control of what she is doing.

Chocolateorangemochaplease · 09/01/2020 08:29

And I’m saying that as someone who was driven into at a petroleum station as I was walking across the forecourt. Fortunately at low speed! 👍 although the person did just drive off. Hmmm.

GruciusMalfoy · 09/01/2020 08:37

The petrol stations I can think of don't really seem to be set out safely enough that I'd be confident in most kids under 14 or so being safe to visit alone. 16 does seem a bit much. Maybe I'm extra paranoid after seeing the local high school kids actively choosing to cross at a roundabout during lunchtimes, rather than walk the extra 5 metres to the pedestrian crossing!

BottleOfJameson · 09/01/2020 08:38

I've never heard of that. DC often get out with me and choose something from the shop. As toddlers they would have been scared to be left alone in the car! They wouldn't be wandering out unattended though obviously.

Plumbus · 09/01/2020 10:27

You would leave a baby alone in a car? confused with the risk of theft or the car being hit, I’m not sure I could have done that

Less risk to leave the baby in the car rather than faff around removing the baby seat (standing where cars are trying to pass) and taking them in when you pay (more risk walking across the forecourt).

TBH, just do Pay at Pump. If you're only buying fuel, I can't think of any good reason to go and faff about queuing in the shop.

nowaypose · 09/01/2020 10:33

She unbuckles her seatbelt and I couldn’t be 100% sure that she wouldn’t get out the car and come to find me.

Lock the doors and take the keys then, it’s not rocket science. Child lock should be on anyway.

nowaypose · 09/01/2020 10:34

I usually pay at the pump but I have left my DC in the car many times, it’s safer than dragging them all out.

reluctantbrit · 09/01/2020 10:37

I never left DD in the car when she was small, I either wait until DH was with us or I took the car seat/toddler with me. No way I would leave her.

Our local station is also on the way to a very large secondary school and I see often children stopping there to buy a drink/snacks. it is actually a Tesco Metro by now. They would loose a decent amount of income.

WeeSleekitTimerousMoosey · 09/01/2020 10:43

why would they be at a petrol station without a car?

For some people it's their local shop, my in laws for example, where they go for the odd pint of milk, loaf, whatever. That one is also across the street from a high school and does a roaring dinner time trade (it's BP with an M&S as it happens).

I can understand the petrol station not wanting small children wandering about the forecourt or parents faffing around taking toddlers in and out of cars while a queue builds up behind them though.

16 seems a bit high for an age limit to me but saying under tens must remain in the car if they came by car would be reasonable.