Is it legal to leave a child under 6 years old in a vehicle?

• A. Yes, if the engine is running
• B. No, it is illegal to leave a child under 6 in a vehicle
• C. Yes, if supervised by an adult
• D. Only if the vehicle is parked in a garage

Answer: (B)

Main idea: keeping young children safe in cars means never leaving a child under six unattended. Cars can heat up very quickly and a small child can be overcome by heat, get stuck, or become a target for harm in minutes. Because of these dangers, laws exist to prevent leaving a child this young alone in a vehicle, and the rule applies even if the engine is running or someone is nearby or supervising. The risk isn’t eliminated by the engine running, an adult nearby, or by parking in a garage, so the safe and legal stance is that a child under six should not be left alone in a vehicle. The correct approach is to bring the child with you or have someone stay with them in the vehicle.