One of the Most Dangerous Places To Be: Kids Left In Hot Cars
Before I became a Dad, I used to hear the stories about kids being left in hot cars and I would think that only idiots could do that. But once I became a Dad, I got scared that it could happen to me. I used to take Turner to pre-school and half the time she would fall asleep during our twenty five minute drive. When she was asleep, my mind would eventually start thinking about work and that usually means grabbing my phone (not to text, just to talk). My huge fear was that I would forget to take her to preschool and instead drive to work and leave her in the car. Believe me, I was absolutely paranoid of doing so.
With the recent toddler deaths in North Texas, several suggestions have been made to help parents remember that kids are on board. Here is a compilation of these suggestions.
First and foremost, always put your cell phone, purse, or briefcase, and anything else you'll need that day, on the floor of the backseat. When you retrieve it at the end of the ride, you'll notice your child.
Seat your younger (or quieter) child behind the front passenger seat, where he's most likely to catch your eye.
Keep a teddy bear or other stuffed animal in the car seat when it's empty. When you put your child in the seat, move the animal to the front passenger seat, to remind you that your baby's on board.
Ask your child's baby sitter or day care provider to always phone you promptly if your child isn't dropped off as scheduled.
Make a habit of always opening the back door of your car after you park, to check that there's no kid back there.
Never assume someone else -- a spouse, an older child --has taken a young kid out of her seat. Such miscommunication has led to more than a few hot-car deaths.
Invest in a device to help you remember small passengers. The Cars-N-Kids monitor plays a lullaby when the car stops and a child is in the seat ($29.95). The ChildMinder System sounds an alarm if you walk away and leave your child in the seat ($69.95).
Put visual cues in your office and home. Static-cling decals reminding you to check the car seat are available at Emmasinspirations.com and Kidsandcars.org.
