OK, the kids can come

Children are being left locked in cars by Western Bay of Plenty parents completing their Christmas shopping. Fraser Cove shopping centre has had at least four incidents this month and Bayfair Shopping Centre has also noticed the problem. However, it's a crime to leave children locked in a car alone. It's an offence to leave a child unattended in a situation where they will suffer or be caused stress. If you leave someone in a car on a hot day they are likely to suffer. It's basically a form of neglect. It comes under wilful neglect of a child, and prosecution is one possible outcome. Invariably your one-minute trip will take longer and kids can get into trouble very quickly. A child can undo their seatbelt or their harness and get out, or undo the handbrake and all those other things. Also, on a particularly hot day, with the magnifying effect of glass, it's possible for a child to get quite hot which has other dangers. So don't leave the kids in the car.