When you’re running errands or traveling solo with kids, leaving them in the car can seem like the easiest option. Whether you need to take a quick bathroom break, run into the grocery store, or drop off a package, many parents wonder if a few minutes is really a big deal. We’ll cut to the chase: It is a big deal.
Leaving children in vehicles is dangerous. Every year, around 37 kids die from heatstroke in cars alone. And that doesn’t even include all the other risks of being left in a parked vehicle. Regardless of the dangers, many parents still wonder: Is it illegal to leave kids in the car?
In this post, we’ll break down the laws (and the very real dangers) of leaving your child in the car unattended:
Is It Illegal to Leave Your Kids in the Car?
Yes. Twenty-one states have laws that explicitly prohibit parents and caregivers from leaving kids in the car. In the remaining states, there may not be specific laws, but parents can still face criminal charges such as neglect, child endangerment, manslaughter, or even homicide. No matter where you live, leaving a child unattended in a car in many circumstances is considered a crime.
When Can You Leave a Child In a Car Alone?
You shouldn’t leave a child in the car alone at any age. Most laws focus on children under 8, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe once they’re older. Even if your child is 9 years of age (or older), while you may not face legal repercussions, it’s still risky. At that age, it’s a small effort to have them come along, but it makes a big difference for their safety.
Dangers of Leaving a Child Unattended in a Vehicle
Heatstroke
Cars heat up shockingly fast. Even on mild days, the temperature inside can rise by more than 20 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 quick minutes. Additionally, kids are more susceptible to heatstroke because of their smaller body size, higher metabolic rate, and underdeveloped temperature regulation systems. That means even a short time left in a car can be deadly.
For more on this risk, read our post on how to prevent hot car deaths.
Hypothermia
Contrary to popular belief, cars aren’t just dangerous in the summer. Winter poses serious risks too. Children lose body heat much faster than adults, which means hypothermia can develop in less than an hour. And in extreme cold? It may set in within just 10 minutes.
Accidental Injury
Unattended children in vehicles face risks of accidental injury and even strangulation. In an attempt to get out, there are a number of things that could go wrong. They might release the parking brake, shift the car into gear, get caught in power windows, fall from the vehicle, become tangled in a seatbelt/harness, or access something dangerous inside the car. Any of these can cause death or serious injury to the child.
Car Theft or Abduction
We don’t like to think about it, but these dangers are real. Leaving a child in a running car might seem safer to avoid heat or cold, but it can increase the risk of car theft or abduction. Even with the keys out, a carjacking is still possible. No child should ever be left in that kind of vulnerable situation.
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
A parent might think it is safer to bring the car into the garage to protect a child from heat, cold, or even the risk of carjacking. But, leaving it running in an enclosed space is extremely dangerous. Carbon monoxide can build up quickly, and this odorless gas can cause death in under 30 minutes without proper ventilation. Never leave a vehicle running in a closed garage for any period of time, especially when children are inside.
Legal Consequences
We’ve covered the physical consequences of leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, but there are legal repercussions, too. You can face criminal charges even if no harm occurs. For that reason, always take your children with you, even if you’re just running into a store.
Unattended Children in Vehicle State Laws
There are twenty-one states with laws that explicitly prohibit leaving children unattended in a car. Each one is slightly different, but most of these laws address the following:
- Prohibit leaving children alone in cars under certain conditions like young age, extended duration, or extreme temperatures
- Require extra car safety measures like child presence alerts or other monitoring systems
- Worsening penalties for child endangerment or neglect when a person leaves a child unattended in a vehicle
Here are the states with these laws:
States Where It's Illegal to Leave a Child in a Vehicle
- Alabama
- California
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Texas
States With Pending Federal Regulations
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Dakota
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
It’s illegal and dangerous to leave children unattended in vehicles.
Leaving a child unattended in a motor vehicle is never worth the risk. From heatstroke and hypothermia to accidental injury, car theft, abduction, and carbon monoxide poisoning, the dangers are real and fast. Even if your state doesn’t have a law specifically prohibiting it, general child endangerment statutes can still apply, meaning legal consequences are possible.
The safest approach is simple: always take your child with you, no matter how quick the errand may seem. Small moments of convenience are never worth the potentially devastating consequences.
For more ways to keep your kids safe in and around cars, check out the rest of our Safe in the Seat blog. From car seat safety tips to the latest child protection technologies like SensorSafe, we cover everything you need to know to protect your little ones on the go.
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