Can I leave a child in a parked car if the car is not running?

Can I leave a child in a parked car if the car is not running?

Stephanie Tombrello (Child Passenger Safety Educator & Executive Director, SafetyBeltSafe USA) gives expert video advice on: What are the basic car safety rules that every child should learn?; How can I keep my child from misbehaving in the car while I drive?; Can my vehicle's sunroof or power windows injure my child? and more...

We don't recommend leaving children alone in a motor vehicle. Certainly not children under age 12 because a lot of things can happen. Someone can take the car with the child in it, and that has certainly happened on a number of occasions. Children have been known to release breaks. Children can get out into a parking lot. You might be delayed much longer than you expect. Children can get out of the car and come look for you. There are many reasons not to leave children alone in a car. Parked or not.