Kids and Cars, a national nonprofit child safety organization, is promoting a new program to educate parents about how to protect their babies from being left alone in a vehicle. It’s called “Look Before You Lock.” Informational packets about the program will be given out by hospitals to parents after the birth of their baby.
“Educating new parents will help prevent tragic heat stroke deaths by giving them practical steps to jog their memory to take their children out of the car,” says Janette Fennell, founder and president of Kids and Cars.
One safety tip included in the packets is the memory device, BE SAFE:
Back seat – Put something in the back seat of your vehicle that requires you to open the back door every time you park
Every child should be correctly restrained in the back seat.
Stuffed animal – Keep a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat. Place it on the front passenger seat as a reminder when your baby is in the back seat.
Ask your babysitter or child care provider to call you if your child hasn’t arrived on time.
Focus on driving – Avoid cell phone calls and texting while driving.
Every time you park make it a routine to open the back door of your car to check that no one has been left behind.
