Each year there is news of parents who are faced with the tragic accidental deaths of children who have been left alone in hot cars.
From a few seconds to a few minutes, a child is put at risk whenever left unattended in any situation. Circumstances may cause parents to succumb to fatigue and stress, and they may inadvertently forget that a child is strapped in the backseat.
The University of Alabama’s Tammy Morrow provides some precautions caregivers can take to avoid hot-car deaths.
- Place personal articles such as purses, cell phones and briefcases on the backseat to ensure that you look in that area before leaving the car.
- Seat your younger children behind the front passenger seat where they are more likely to be in your eyesight.
- Keep a stuffed animal in your child’s seat when your child is not in the seat. Place the object, as a reminder, on the front seat when the baby is on board.
- Request that your sitter or staff at your child-care program phone to check on your baby when they are not present.
- Start a routine of opening your back door to check the backseat before leaving your car.
- Make sure that the doors to all parked vehicles are locked at all times.
- Hang keys out of reach of young children.
If you see a child that has been left alone in a vehicle, do not hesitate to get involved. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
Morrow is a parent resource specialist with Alabama’s Parenting Assistance Line at UA’s Child Development Resources.
