The Fire Department joins the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in an effort to reduce the deaths of children by reminding parents and caregivers about the dangers of heatstroke in young children.
If you see a child or animal alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 immediately.
If they are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible. Cool the child rapidly.
Never leave a child or pet in a vehicle, even if the windows are partially open.
Check your vehicle — front and back — before locking the door and walking away.
Set reminders to make sure your child is dropped off at day care as planned.
Ask your child care provider to call you if your child does not show up for child care.
Teach your children NOT to play in an unattended vehicle.
Always lock vehicle doors and trunks and keep keys out of children's reach. If a child is missing, check the vehicle first, including the trunk.
Do things to remind yourself that a child is in the vehicle, such as:
Place your purse, briefcase or something else you need in the back seat so you will have to check the back seat when you leave the vehicle.
Write yourself a note and put the note where you will see it when you leave the vehicle.
Keep an object in the car seat, such as a stuffed toy. When the child is buckled in, place the object where the driver will notice it when he or she is leaving the vehicle.