Hot Cars!

Summer time is fun time!...between swimming, sandboxes, parks, ice cream, picnics and so much more it is definately a fun time. However some dangers lurk that alot of us don't think about. Sure we think about sunburns, bug bites, banged up knees and more serious things like dehydration and drowning but what about hot cars!? I was reading an article in my parenting magazine and it says that each year about 37 babies and toddlers die when they are accidentally left strapped in car seats or become trapped in a vehicle. Most of us probably don't think about this or even think twice that it could happen to us however a mother sadly found out differently. With lack of sleep, sick kids, and just a hectic life a mother accidentally left her son in the car. She was on her way to daycare but ended up zoning and found herself at work going about her normal day and at the end of the day she found out the devastating reality that her son was in the car and had been all day. We all think it couldn't happen to us but could it!?... Here are some tips from "Parenting in the Early Years" to help us avoid hot-car tradgedies

*1st and Foremost, always put your purse, cell, or anything else you need for that day on the backseat floor. When you go to retrieve it you'll notice your child.

* Seat your younger or quieter child behind the front passenger seat where their most likely to catch your eye.

* Keep a teddy or stuffed animal in the car seat and when your child is in their seat put it in the passenger seat as a reminder that you have a little one aboard.

Ask your babysitter or daycare provider to phone you promptly if your child isn't dropped off as scheduled.

* Make a habit of always opening the back door of your car to double check.

Never assume someone else that is with you has taken a kid out of his/her seat.

* Put visual clues in your office or home reminding you to check the car seat.