People have been warned about the danger that can happen when children are left unattended
Parents are being urged to think twice before leaving their children unsupervised in cars — even for ‘just a few minutes’. While it might seem easier to leave them in the car if you’ve got a quick job to do, the consequences are serious.
With school finished for the summer, more children are expected to be left alone in parked vehicles, sparking urgent concern over child safety and the law. The Met Office has previously warned that Britain could face even more heatwaves this summer, and pairing extreme temperatures with unattended children could spell danger.
Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a car can rise dangerously within minutes. Some statistics estimate that about 40 children die per year due to being left in hot cars, according to Omni, and more than half of them are under two years old.
Parents should be aware that children are more susceptible to heatstroke than adults because their bodies heat up faster, making the situation even more serious. If you see a child left alone in a car, dial 999 immediately if they are in distress or the situation appears unsafe.
While there’s no set age in law, the NSPCC advises that children under 12 are rarely mature enough to be left alone for long periods. Children under five should never be left alone in a car under any circumstances.
Adam Jones, legal expert at HD Claims, said: “Many parents believe it’s fine to leave their child in the car while they run into the shop or fill up with petrol. But if that child comes to harm, or if the car is stolen with the child inside, the consequences can be devastating, legally and emotionally. There’s no legal time limit that makes it ‘safe’. If something goes wrong, you’re responsible — and that can lead to serious charges.”
What does the law say?
In the UK, there is no specific law that bans leaving a child unattended in a car, but it is an offence if doing so places the child at risk. Under the Children and Young Persons Act 1933, leaving a child unsupervised “in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to health” can lead to prosecution.
Depending on the severity of the case, parents could risk police warnings, unlimited fines, or up to 10 years in prison in extreme neglect cases. Social services could also get involved, especially if repeated concerns are reported.
What if I see a child locked in a car on a hot day?
Call 999 immediately if you see a child alone in a car on a hot day. As you make the call, check the car doors to see if they are unlocked. If a door is unlocked, open all of the car doors to cool off the interior. Stay on the line with the emergency services operator, detailing everything you are doing. If the doors are locked, ask the operator for advice.
If the child appears to be in immediate danger or the child appears to be unresponsive, is discoloured, or in some kind of obvious distress, you may instinctively want to smash a window and rescue the child. But you need to be aware that this could be classed as criminal damage and, potentially, you may need to defend your actions in court.
Make sure you tell the police what you intend to do and why. Take pictures or videos to document your actions and also get the names and numbers of witnesses to the incident. If you are advised not to break a window, try shading the child with an item of clothing.