It's Illegal To Leave Kids Alone In A Hot Car

Eddie Farah

Attorney
(866) 735-1102 Ext 415

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Not only is it dangerous and potentially deadly to leave children in a hot car, but it's also illegal.

As temperatures rise into the 90's, it's time to remember that state law makes it illegal to leave a child alone in a hot car for longer than 15 minutes.

A car can quickly become as hot as an oven.

From heat cramps to heat stroke can take very few minutes. A car can heat up to 110 degrees within 10 minutes.

Sometimes it takes punishment to enforce what should be common sense.

A 63-year-old North Fort Myers woman was recently arrested and charged with child neglect after claiming a great sale was the reason she left an 11-month-old locked inside a sweltering car for an hour.
Store employees saw the girl crying in the car and were able to rescue her before police arrived.
Politano told police she intended to run into the store for a few minutes to buy some meat for dinner, but said there were too many specials to pass up.

Maybe the punishment is not severe enough. Offenders can be fined up to $500 for leaving a child in a hot vehicle. If common sense does not prevail, perhaps stiffer fines would.