Tips to ensure your child isn't locked in their car

Between 1998 and 2007, nearly 360 children died as a result of being left alone in a car. By leaving your children unattended in a vehicle for even a few minutes, you are needlessly risking their lives.

With the Florida summer heat on the rise it’s crucial to follow steps to prevent your little one from being locked in the car.

Prevention Steps:

* Never leave your child unattended in a vehicle
* Crack the car door window enough to be able to reach in, in the event you do lock your child in the car you can easily reach in and open the door
* Keep a spare key in your purse (wallet), if you do lock your keys in the car you have a spare on hand
* Keep a stuffed animal or other reminder next to you in the car as a cue that your child is with you
* Make a habit of checking your vehicle before leaving it
* If you see a child left alone in a car, contact the police or 911 immediately

Safety Facts:

* 33% of children who die from being left in a hot car are less than one year old
* Cracking your vehicle’s windows has very little effect on its temperature
* When left in a hot vehicle, a child’s body temperature can increase three to five times as fast as an adult’s
* Children left unattended in a vehicle are at risk of being kidnapped.
* Children left alone in a car can push buttons, disengage the brakes, put the car in gear or even leave the vehicle and walk away.
MAKE IT A SAFE AND SECURE DAY!