Winter driving brings lots of challenges and drivers are often reminded to slow down, take extra time to get to your destination and be aware, no matter what the situation. Snow on the roads slows us all down and adds more preparation time to almost every chore. Moving children in and out of vehicles becomes more labour intensive, but police officers are urging drivers to be sure to never leave children unattended in your car, no matter how quickly you think you may be returning. It is NEVER ok to leave a child unattended in a vehicle, no matter what time of year.
Officers have seen incidents of one child being dropped at school or day care while another waits in the car without any adult present – or "popping in" somewhere for just a few minutes. Guardians might feel it's better to leave the children in the warm vehicle while conducting an errand or picking up or dropping off other children, but this puts the child left in the vehicle in considerable risk. And just because the youngster is asleep, it doesn't absolve you of your responsibilities to keep them safe. You might not want to rouse a sleeping baby or child in order to take them with you, but considering the potential outcomes if you don't, it's always the right choice.
Canada's Criminal Code Section 218 states: "Every one who unlawfully abandons or exposes a child who is under the age of ten years so that its life is or is likely to be endangered or its health is or is likely to be permanently injured, (a) is guilty of an indictable offence and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years; or (b) is guilty of an offence punishable on summary conviction and liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding eighteen months."
Beyond weather factors, there is always a chance that a vehicle could accidentally be put in gear, power windows could be used and cause serious harm or even be fatal and there is a chance that the car could be stolen without the thief knowing there is a child in the vehicle.
Don't leave children alone, no matter how short a time period or how inconvenient. Safety can't be compromised.