Safety
tips regarding kids and autos!
Children
should never be left alone in a vehicle, not even to run a quick
errand.
- 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.
- 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 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 or your local emergency
number.
Provided by Kids
in Cars, a Missouri-based, national, non-profit organization
dedicated to preventing injuries and deaths that occur due to
children being left unattended in or around motor vehicles. Kids in
Cars has embarked on a mission to pursue preventative legislation
in all 50 states to make sure that no child is ever, not even for a
minute, left alone in or around a motor vehicle. For more
information on Kids in Cars, to donate or volunteer please visit www.kidsincars.org.
