With all of our activities, we always seem to be in a rush. It's so easy to just leave a sleeping child in the car because you will “only be a minute”.
Watsonville Firefighters respond to an average of five calls per year where children are locked in a vehicle. Even with the windows "cracked," the inside of your car will heat up quickly and a child's body heats up three to five times faster than an adult. IF YOU SEE A CHILD ALONE IN A HOT CAR CALL 9-1-1.
You may think that this could never happen to you but it can happen to anyone.
Safety tips to help you keep your children safe:
- NEVER LEAVE A CHILD ALONE IN A VEHICLE.
- Make sure everyone gets out when you get to your destination.
- Always lock your car and make sure children do not have access to keys or remote entry devices.
- Teach your children that cars are not play areas.
- Have a reminder that the child is in the car such as a stuffed animal or doll in the front seat.
- Make "look before you leave" a routine.
- Give your childcare provider a good number to reach you if baby doesn’t arrive.