Keep Your Children Safe In and Around Cars

There are many dangers parents worry about when it comes to their children. However, you can help mitigate those risks when it comes to their safety in and around vehicles. You should always teach children not play in or around cars, and never leave a child in a car alone for any length of time.

Parent tips:

Never leave a child unattended in a car, even for just a moment. The dangers of heatstroke or the car rolling away are real and cause unintended child deaths every year.
Heatstroke inside a parked car can happen in summer and winter, no matter the weather, even with windows cracked.
Always lock your car when it is not in use to prevent kids gaining access; three out of 10 heatstroke deaths happen from unattended children playing in parked cars.
Teach your child that a car is not a toy and that only adults drive cars. Also, do not let them play in trunks. Trunks are for cargo not playing.
Make it a habit to look in the backseat every time you leave the vehicle and always lock your car. #LookAgain.
Keep a stuffed animal in the passenger seat to remind you that your child is with you in the backseat when you travel, and then transfer the animal to the child’s car seat once your child is safely out of the car.
If your routine changes or someone else is driving your child, always call your child care provider to make sure that they arrived safely.
Make sure you walk around your car before backing out to make sure that a child is not playing behind or under the car.
When driving, keep an eye on your child in the backseat to make sure he is not playing with the seatbelt as it can get wrapped around their head, throat and body.

Questions to ask your child care program:

What is the protocol for field trip transportation?
How does the program ensure that all children arrive safely and none are left in a vehicle?
Has the program ever had a driver involved in an accident or been cited for leaving a child unattended in a vehicle?
Can you have someone call you when your child does not show up for morning drop-off?
Ask if the program’s transportation is regularly maintained and if the driver is qualified to drive that particular vehicle.

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