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Topic: Why Walmart is reconsidering overnight camping in parking lots.  (Read 259 times) previous topic - next topic
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Why Walmart is reconsidering overnight camping in parking lots.
Walmart and many other businesses may end overnight parking for RVs on their properties, this is why. A family is suing Walmart for the death and injury of two young girls in a Walmart parking lot. A van conversion close to the minivan the girls were in caught fire while using a hot plate. When it went up in flames, the flames spread to neighboring cars. The van the two girls were in while waiting for their mother who was shopping inside caught fire. One child died the other has severe burns. You can look up the incident on Google.
The suit alleges that Walmart is creating a dangerous environment when they allow RVs, without regard for the level of suitability and safety, to stay and utilize their RVs in their parking lots.  Cars don’t have the same systems and appliances as RVs and have to meet safety standards RVs do not. They have a good chance of winning this case. I wouldn’t be surprised if all businesses eliminate free overnight parking in parking lots in the near future if they are going to be held accountable for injuries or losses to others by RVers
“In 2020, CNN reported that the number of Walmart stores allowing overnight RV parking had dropped sharply, from 78% to around 58%. “
SoCal-Gal  (Tracy)
1991 26.5 RB
Previous 1988 22’ LD Multi plan
Previous 1992 Six-pack Camper
Spare the sealant, spoil the job.
Travelers: Tracy, spouse Anthony, Coton de Tulear, Gabby and parrotlet, Indigo
 
Re: Why Walmart is reconsidering overnight camping in parking lots.
Reply #1 –
Sad tragic story

Not seeing how a nondescript conversion van, that would likely pass for any van, would get RVs kicked out of Walmart parking lots.   I could see cooking prohibited, but again, how to enforce.

Kinda scratching my head on a parent who would leave young children napping in a car.
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Why Walmart is reconsidering overnight camping in parking lots.
Reply #2 –
Quote from: Dave Katleman  - 
Sad tragic story[/url

Kinda scratching my head on a parent who would leave children napping in a car during the heat of August.

It was early morning, 6am.  Not hot part of day.
It’s  not about leaving the kids in the car, lots of people do that. The kids were old enough to get in and out of the car on their own. It’s not illegal in most states to leave children in a car (not toddlers). The mother and kids were victims.
“
McKenzie claims that Walmart's policy allowing people to camp in RVs and other vehicles there overnight -- without supervision, permit requirements, or sanitation -- is responsible for the tragedy.

"These unregulated, unlicensed, and unmonitored campgrounds pose a threat of illness, injury, noise, and crime to a considerable number of members of the public," court documents say.”

This is not limited to conversion vans.  Parking lots are not campgrounds.
SoCal-Gal  (Tracy)
1991 26.5 RB
Previous 1988 22’ LD Multi plan
Previous 1992 Six-pack Camper
Spare the sealant, spoil the job.
Travelers: Tracy, spouse Anthony, Coton de Tulear, Gabby and parrotlet, Indigo
Re: Why Walmart is reconsidering overnight camping in parking lots.
Reply #3 –
Didn’t see that it was morning, removed my mention of heat.

Respectfully disagree with regards to leaving young children asleep unattended in a vehicle.   As a parent of three, never did that while they were young, and especially not asleep!  I feel for any parent losing children.  It’s still reckless to leave them unsupervised.  Said behavior is still legal in MN, but not in CA (Kaitlyn's Law)

California Vehicle Code 15620 states that it is illegal to leave a child six years of age or younger unattended in a motor vehicle without the supervision of someone who is 12 years or older
Dave

2017 TK
Re: Why Walmart is reconsidering overnight camping in parking lots.
Reply #4 –
Quote from: Dave Katleman  - 
Said behavior is still legal in MN, but not in CA (Kaitlyn's Law)
Copied from the law:
California Vehicle Code 15620 states that it is illegal to leave a child six years of age or younger unattended in a motor vehicle without the supervision of someone who is 12 years or older
”
The CA law:
Kaitlyn's Law is the law governing the care and safety of children with respect to leaving them in the car. Basically, as long as the car is not running, doors are locked, and the car properly ventilated, providing the child is otherwise safe, a child can be left in a car unattended if age 6 or older. “

There’s actually more to it:
California Vehicle Code 15620
(a) A parent, legal guardian, or other person responsible for a child who is 6 years of age or younger may not leave that child inside a motor vehicle without being subject to the supervision of a person who is 12 years of age or older, under either of the following circumstances:
(1) Where there are conditions that present a significant risk to the child's health or safety.
(2) When the vehicle’s engine is running or the vehicle's keys are in the ignition, or both.
(b) A violation of subdivision (a) is an infraction punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100).

I don’t recommend people leave young children in a car but I know lots of people who do and it is legal under the right conditions.
This mother had no reason to think her children were in harm’s way under normal circumstances.
SoCal-Gal  (Tracy)
1991 26.5 RB
Previous 1988 22’ LD Multi plan
Previous 1992 Six-pack Camper
Spare the sealant, spoil the job.
Travelers: Tracy, spouse Anthony, Coton de Tulear, Gabby and parrotlet, Indigo
Re: Why Walmart is reconsidering overnight camping in parking lots.
Reply #5 –
Sounds like there is a lawyer too lazy to chase ambulances, and Walmart has deep pockets

. :(  :o  ::)
Joel & Terry Wiley
dog Zeke
2013  31 IB   Orwan   / 2011 CRV Tow'd LWEROVE
Re: Why Walmart is reconsidering overnight camping in parking lots.
Reply #6 –
These days a nuisance lawsuit gets you a quick $10,000. Of course the lawyers are the winners.
Walmart is not at fault here, stupid people are. Unfortunately, being stupid pays.
Jota
96 23.5 FL