Never Leave Your Child Alone in a Car - Even for a Minute

Over the past few months, more than twenty children have died while alone in a vehicle. Did you know that a child's body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult's? It only takes a few short minutes before a child can become dangerously overheated.

Every year, more than 30 children die because they are alone in a car. In just 10 minutes a car's temperature can increase by 19 degrees - and it continues to rise. There is no evidence that cracking the windows helps prevent the temperature in vehicle interiors from reaching dangerous levels. In fact, sunlight coming through car windows makes the car work like an oven.

To prevent child injuries I will: ** Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even with the window slightly open. ** Dial 911 immediately if I see an unattended child in a car. ** Teach children not to play in any vehicle. ** Lock all vehicle doors and trunk after everyone has exited the vehicle, and keep keys out of children's reach. ** Check vehicles and trunks FIRST if a child goes missing. ** Consider the following tips: - Set a cell phone, Blackberry, or computer calendar reminder to be sure you have dropped your child off at day care. - Have a plan that if your child is late for daycare that you will be called within a few minutes. (Be especially careful if you change your routine for dropping off little kids at day care.) - Place a cell phone, PDA, purse, briefcase, gym bag or whatever you'll carry out of the care on the floor in front of a child in a backseat. This triggers adults to see children when they open the rear door and reach for their belongings.