I just read three stories straight about children being left in cars. I think most of us know not to leave our kid in the car - even to run into the store. Always pay at the pump at a gas station, or take your kid in with you!
But I also read a story about a woman who forgot that her baby was in the car. So I thought I'd share this good idea:
If you're constantly commuting to work/school/daycare, it can be easy to forget for a moment that you've still got your kid in the car with you. So whenever you commute, put your school or diaper bag in the backseat with your kid. That way, if you spaced out and drove straight to work, you'd realize that the kid was still there.
Another idea I've heard of is putting a stuffed animal in the carseat whenever it's empty, and putting it on your front seat when your kid's in the car.
I know this is one of those things that has very little chance of ever happening...but the idea about putting the bag in the backseat is really very little effort.
that's a great idea!
i live in a hot climate where it really can only take about 15 minutes for a kid to get brain damage if left in a car. it can be frightening because even good mammas need help remembering things from time to time.
I always write down the license and call the cops when I see someone who ran inside for a few minutes and left their kids in the car, and you'd be surprised how often I see it. I can feel for people who honestly just forgot or spaced out, but most of the times when I see it it's people who parked right in front of the grocery store who just run in because it's more convenient, and it might be, but convenience should never come before safety.
I also feel sad when people do it to animals :(
I would have to say that more animals probably die of this then children. Which is really sad. If it is too hot for you to sit in the car with no AC it is probably too hot to leave your kiddo/pet in the car. (Not to mention the safety risk of someone taking your car with your kid/pet in there).
I would think that if you are running somewhere it would help more to have the diaper bag in the front (so you dont forget the kid in the back) but your school bag (or even your purse) in the backseat is a good idea. I really like the stuffed animal idea too. That is really clever.
I really hate having to get Kaden out of his car seat when he's asleep just to run into the gas station and pay for gas, so when I get gas I always use our debit card. I love having it because it is so much more convenient (sp?), than having to wake him up and go into the gas station and then pretty much walk right back out and put him back in the car.
thanks great post thanks for posting it
i feel like there are levels to which it is ok to leave your kids in the car. I don't see it being a problem to have your kid in the car with the windows rolled down and running up to a mailbox or to knock on someones door if you keep your child in view. I think the problem occurs when children are left unattended like the example of going into the gorcery store or gas station. that is not ok. but if you are hopping out of the car to do something that takes one second like mailing a letter or whatever. i really dont see and issue. BUT you have to have airflow in ther..
thanks for posting this, its so important and those are awesome ideas, in the chaos of mamma-hood i can see how it could happen that you could forget you had your child with you.
It is very important to remember to check your car. People get so busy in thier schedules and things unfortuanetly slip minds.
Every day when i put the kids in the car to go to daycare i look back to make sure both are there. Then when i drop them off and i leave to go to work i just double check i didnt forget one.
I probablly wouldnt but things happen.
I also agree that opening the door to put a letter in the mailbox or obviously pumpin gas but leaving a window open. your right there, as long as you pay credit or debit.
Not only is the heat a factor about leaving your kid in the car but if you deliberatly leave your kid in the car for 5 minutes, how do you know someone wont take them?