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Parenting

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Original poster

Children and petrol stations

43 replies

Lovethebubbles · 11/12/2013 15:07

Just wondering what other people do when they fill up their car with petrol.......
I saw something on Facebook the other day where someone had recently had DC2 and expressed how difficult it was filling their car up with petrol and having to get 2 children out of the car to go and pay for it.
I leave my dd in the car, locked of course, whilst I nip in and pay quickly. Is that dangerous?! Unless, there is the option to pay at the pump, but the small town where we live doesn't have that option.
Were these people on fb overly cautious or am I being a careless parent?!

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MightilyOats · 12/12/2013 13:52

I've always locked DS (now 2) into the car when paying for petrol. I'm only ever gone 2 minutes tops and he never seems to mind - though he normally won't let me out of a room for 2 minutes

Surely if fire is a risk it is better to be there for the minimum amount of time rather than having your car parked there three or four times as long while you unstrap and then restrap have to force DC back into the car seat? Personally I find it such hell trying to get him into the damn car seat that I'd rather not have to take him out and put him back into it in rapid succession!

Like others wouldn't judge either way

MightilyOats · 12/12/2013 13:54

Hmm last sentence ambiguous - I mean - like others, I wouldn't judge either way (punctuation is a wonderful thing, please excuse baby brain )

Strokethefurrywall · 13/12/2013 16:41

I'm sorry, this might be a ridiculously stupid question, but what exactly is the risk in leaving a baby or child in a locked car on a petrol forecourt? Genuine question, not sarcastic.

I'm not in the UK so can't work out is it illegal? I've never taken my child inside to pay, either when he was a newborn or now that he's a toddler. It wouldn't even occur to me to get him out in honesty and when I've been back to the UK and filled up on gas I've never taken him out.

If you have your keys and your car is locked, what is the risk to your child or car for the few minutes you would be paying inside? Presumably you have full view of the car?

I am genuinely intrigued.

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Oakmaiden · 13/12/2013 19:27

It is not illegal.

Some people are worried that someone might snatch their baby/ steal their car with the baby in it.

Others are concerned that their child might get out of the car seat and play with the handbrake/ get out of the car and go looking for them.

Other than that, I don't know.

Oakmaiden · 13/12/2013 19:29

Mightliy Oats - I think you were responding to my post, when you asked about the fire and the time to take children out of the car?

As it happens I am firmly in the "leave them in the car, they'll be fine" camp - BUT I don't lock the car, so that if there was an emergency then I would be able to get to them quickly.

treaclesoda · 13/12/2013 19:37

if you lock them in the car does the car alarm not go off as soon as they wriggle in their seat?

Strokethefurrywall · 13/12/2013 20:16

thanks for the clarification oakmaiden, I was really stumped for a while (and really still am!)

Not sure I see the risk for the 2 minutes it would take to pay for the petrol. Unless I'm totally missing the fact that there are baby snatching car thieves lurking at many petrol stations...

Treacle a lot of car alarms are general immobilisers and not internally motion sensored. I think a lot of newer vehicles aren't motion sensored for this reason (if you need to lock your car with passengers in it) or have alarm settings (one click to set the immobiliser alarm and lock the car, two clicks to set internal motion setting)

Oakmaiden · 13/12/2013 21:21

I don't really get it either. But obviously some people see risk differently to me...

curlew · 13/12/2013 21:23

So long as the children are wearing their tin foil hats to ward off alien abduction they'll be fine.

WhoKnowsWhereTheMistletoes · 13/12/2013 21:29

It never even occurred to me to take them in with me and there are no pay at pump ones round here. In fact I used to go to the petrol station if I just needed for example bread or milk as it was easier to do that than go to the supermarket and get them both out. I occasionally let them come in now aged 9 and 7, but generally don't as it makes the whole thing take longer.

NewBlueShoesToo · 13/12/2013 21:43

Far too dangerous, they eat my secret stash of chocolate and change all the settings on the radio.

alemci · 13/12/2013 22:26

in the car and you could see them. never occurred to me to take them out, 3 of them. all grown up now.

TartyMcTart · 13/12/2013 23:00

I've always left my two in the car when paying for petrol. God, I'd be really pissed off if I was behind a car waiting for their pump and the owner proceeded to get their kids out when they went to pay!

MiaowTheCat · 14/12/2013 11:01

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Ragwort · 14/12/2013 11:07

Before I used Mumsnet I had never heard of anyone taking their child in to pay for petrol - and I have never actually seen anyone do this. .

I used to live in a fairly quiet rural village where -shock horror- we could leave our baby in a pram outside a shop quite happily . I would also leave my baby alone when I went to post a letter which I know is considered by Mumsnet to be child abuse.

Pascha · 14/12/2013 11:13

I've also never come across anyone who takes their children into the kiosk to pay. I certainly don't.

Greythorne · 14/12/2013 11:15

Those who take their child inside, what do you fear for them alone in the car for 3 minutes?

lifesobeautiful · 14/12/2013 20:17

I've never even considered taking them into the shop - always leave them in the car! The only thing I would be aware of is making sure they're not eating something they could choke on - eg an apple.

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