You may have a lot on your mind or simply want to make a quick dash to the shop while your child sleeps in the car.

The idea of leaving a child in the car is one that is thought of more often than many parents would like to admit.

For instance, you may be driving to the market and your child ends up falling asleep. You may think that leaving the windows open for them to have some fresh air while they sleep is a good idea but it is actually not safe.

From suffering a heat stroke, to children being stolen, these are some of the reasons why you should not leave your child in the car for too long.

Your child could suffocate

As in the case of the Bungoma mother that left her child in the car to go ‘have fun’ with her lover, her child suffocated due to lack of fresh air.

Reports indicate that the inside of a car can increase by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s body which could lead to them suffering a heat stroke.

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Setting the car in motion

Children are naturally curious beings. They are unaware of the dangers they might be getting into and that is a good reason not to leave them in the car alone.

They might decide to get curious and accidentally put the handbrake of a car down thus setting the car in motion. If you leave the car keys in the ignition, they might decide to mimic what they see you as a parent do and start the car.

Your child could be taken from the car

There are numerous stories of children being kidnapped on a daily basis. It is very easy for someone with bad intentions to break into your car and take your child with them.

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