Never Leave Children Alone In or Around Cars
by Leslie Block RN CEN Encare/Injury Prevention Education

Never Leave Children Alone In or Around Cars
Leslie Block RN CEN Encare/Injury Prevention Education

Every year a staggering number of children are left alone in and around vehicles. As every parent and caregiver knows, it's tempting to leave children alone in cars while running a quick errand, surveys have shown that nearly 1 out every 4 U.S adults with children under 18 at home have left a child alone in a vehicle. I myself have been very tempted to leave a happy sleeping baby in the car, we are always in such a hurry with our day and want to save a few minutes. But many a mom or dad has done that very thing, they now regret their decision to "save a few minutes".
A car is not meant to be childproof and cars are not babysitters or toys.
Children should never be left unattended in or around parked cars. There are just too many risks.
Below are just some of the dangers children are exposed to:
Being inadvertently backed over in a driveway or parking lot
Being left in a vehicle where the temperatures can reach deadly levels in minutes
Knocking the vehicle into gear and setting the vehicle into motion
Strangulation by a power window, sunroof or power accessory
Being taken by a stranger in the course of a car theft
Hopping into a car trunk during an innocent game of hide-and-seek
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Finding matches or lighter that set the car aflame
Leaving the vehicle alone to go to the bathroom, or to go looking for you
Being kidnapped from the vehicle

Deaths and injuries from these types of events are all 100% preventable !!Just don't leave your kid unattended in or around a car.

Here are a few safety tips provided by Kids In Cars
www.harrisonshope.org
Children should never be left alone in a vehicle, not even to run a quick errand. Kid In Cars offers parents the following tips to help keep their children safe.
Plan ahead to use drive-through services where available such as pharmacies and banks. More and more services are adding drive-through convenience, including dry cleaners, restaurants (beyond fast food), libraries, grocery stores, and even dog grooming. A quick search on the Internet will help you find convenient drive-through services in your area.
Call dry cleaners and other businesses to schedule pick-up and drop-off services at your vehicle. Most businesses will bring service curbside if you call ahead.
Make advance arrangements for your child-care provider to meet you at your vehicle. Alternatively, plan extra time into your pick-up/drop-off routine to bring all children inside with you.
Use your debit or credit card at the gas pump.
Ask grocery store clerks to load your bags into your vehicle and return the grocery cart.
If possible, leave your children with a responsible adult. Arrange a baby-sitting co-op with your neighbor to give you an hour to run errands.
Accidents can happen right in your own garage or driveway.

Kids In Cars offers parents the following tips to help prevent accidents in or around vehicles.
Keep vehicles locked at all times -- even in the garage or driveway.
Do not encourage 'behind the wheel" play in your car
Never leave keys within the reach of children.
Teach children to never play in or around vehicles.
Consider installing cross-view mirrors and/or a backup detection device on your vehicle.
Make a quick check look before getting in your car, to see if a child is playing in front or behind car.
Make sure all young passengers have left your car after it is parked.
When a child is missing, check vehicles and trunks immediately.
If a child is locked inside a vehicle, get them out as quickly as possible, If they are hot or appear sick, call 911.
For more information check out these websites: www.kidsandcars.org www.4kidssake.org www.safekids.org www.kidsincars.org

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