Will your little one be left alone in a parked car and have an accident? (Parked Car Child Safety) Let's take care of this!

Oh, sometimes, no matter how careful we are, we can make small mistakes that we don't even think about, right? Especially when it comes to our children, even the smallest things can become big problems. One such example is leaving a small child alone in a parked car. This can be more dangerous than you think. Did you know? On a hot day, or even on a normal day, the inside of a parked car can heat up very quickly. Small children can quickly develop a condition called heat illness , which can even develop into a life-threatening condition called heatstroke. Not only that, children can also accidentally put a gear in the car and cause an accident, get stuck in the seat, or even get injured through the windows.

Remember, the temperature inside a parked car on a hot day can reach deadly levels for a child in just a few minutes!

Why do we forget this? How can a child be left alone in a car without knowing?

When you hear this, you may think, "Oh, that wouldn't happen to me." But it can happen to anyone. Imagine, you've had a stressful day... or you haven't slept well. Or you get an important call while driving... or your daily routine has changed a bit... It's times like these that, no matter how good of parents we are, we can forget that our little one is in the car without even realizing it.

For example, let's say you're supposed to take your child to daycare one day. But a call on the way distracts you, so you head straight to the office and forget to drop your child off. Look what can happen with just one little thing!

We're talking about this because it can happen to anyone. You need to be especially careful on days when your routine changes.

So how do we save the child from such an accident?

Okay, so let's see what steps we can take to prevent this kind of heartbreaking incident from happening. These are very simple things, but they can help save a life.

Do these things before getting in the car:

If you follow these practices, you can greatly reduce your mistakes:

• Put anything you need throughout the day – like your phone, purse, or office bag – in the back seat where the baby is. Then when you get out of the car, you have to open the back door and remember the baby.
• When your child is in the back seat, place a large stuffed animal in the front seat to remind you. At other times, you can place it in the child's car seat or booster seat . When you see it, you will be reminded that your little one is in the back.
• Plan follow-up calls. That is, if you are scheduled to drop your child off somewhere (e.g., daycare, school), tell someone (like your spouse, daycare teacher) to call you if your child doesn't arrive on time. If someone else is taking your child (e.g., grandma, grandpa, uncle, etc.), call that person after the scheduled drop-off time to ask, "Did your child get off?"
• Set an alarm on your phone with a unique ringtone for when you need to drop off your child. Name the alarm with the child's name and location, like "Baby Day Care." That way, you'll remember when the alarm goes off.

Remember these things when traveling by car:

We need to stay focused even when we're in the car.

• Put your GPS on where you're going and follow its directions. That way, you'll be less likely to stop and get distracted at random places along the way.
• Talk to your child, sing songs, and play games with them while you're driving. That way, you'll always remember that your child is in the car.
• Never use your phone or a hands-free device while in the car. Listening to voicemail or talking to someone other than your child can completely distract you from your child.

Once you arrive at your destination, be sure to do the following:

This is the most important thing!

• Make it a habit to always open the back door when you park your car, whether the child is in the back seat or not. This is called the "Look Before You Lock" method. This way, you will definitely be checked when the child is actually there. Once this becomes a habit, you won't forget.
• Some new cars have rear seat reminder systems . That is, when you turn off the car, it reminds you to "look in the back seat." But remember, they alone are not enough to protect children. We need to be careful on our own.

Do you want to tell other guardians about this?

Absolutely! Be sure to clearly explain to your child's caregivers, grandparents, or anyone else who may take your child in the car about the dangers of hot vehicles and how to keep your child safe. Make sure they follow these tips, too. After all, your child's safety is everyone's responsibility.

What do you do if your children sneak into the car?

Sometimes little children are very naughty. They can get into the car without us knowing. Imagine, if they see a toy in the car, if they sneak into the car while playing hide-and-seek inside the house, or if they want to "drive" like their parents... then unexpected accidents can happen at those times too.

Here are some safety tips to remember:

• Never leave young children alone in or near a parked car. Even if you are just going inside the house or to the store for a few seconds, don't do it. Those few seconds can lead to a serious accident.
• Always lock your car and keep the keys high up where children can't reach them. Kindly remind guests to do the same.
• Don't give your child the car keys or key fob to play with. They could unlock or start the car without realizing it.
• Explain to children that the car is not a place to play, and that they should never go in it alone. Also, tell them that if they need anything in the car, they should ask an adult.
• For slightly older children, that is, children from the age of kneeling to a few years old, you can also teach them to honk the horn if they can't get out of the car.

What if a child suddenly disappears?

If you can't find your child at any time, don't panic and first check inside the house. Then, carefully check all nearby vehicles. Don't forget to look especially in the trunks of cars. Those are places where children like to hide.

What would you do if you saw a child left alone in a car?

This is something we should all be aware of. If you ever see a child alone in a car, here are some things to do:

• Call 119 (police emergency number) immediately. Or tell a nearby police officer.
• Also, if possible, ask someone to help you find the driver. If you are in a parking lot, such as a store, supermarket, or stadium, you can also ask the driver to be paged.
• If the car is unlocked, immediately open the door and let some air in, especially if it's a hot day.
• If the child seems unwell or is not moving, carefully remove the child from the car and take them to a shady or air-conditioned place. Until help arrives, splash cool water on the child's body and face. Wipe the body with a damp cloth.
• If the child is trapped inside the car while it is locked, or if it appears to be unconscious, immediately break a window and get the child out. In such a situation, saving the child's life is the priority. Many countries have 'Good Samaritan laws' , which provide legal protection for those who damage a vehicle to save a child. In Sri Lanka, too, in such an emergency, there is no legal problem with anything done with the aim of saving the child's life.

So, what's the most important thing to remember from what we talked about today?

Simply put, parents, dear guardians, a parked car can be a very dangerous place for a young child. The heat can cause life-threatening conditions such as heatstroke . Also, a child can inadvertently put a gear in the car, move the seat, or open the windows, causing an accident.

So, no matter how busy we are, no matter how worried we are, always think twice about whether or not to leave your child in the car. Don't think, "That won't happen to me." Don't let a small oversight turn into a big disaster. Let's all be aware of this and protect our little ones. If you have any more questions about this, talk to your family doctor or a pediatrician. They will give you better advice.

` Child safety, car accidents, heat stroke, vehicle safety, parenting advice, children being alone, emergencies