It’s hot today. In fact, it’s hot nearly 9 months out of the year. And if you are like me, you are terrified of forgetting your child somewhere, especially in a smoldering hot car. It literally haunts me at times.

As moms, we are passionate about this topic and have shared tips, statistics, and preventions in the past. I’ve read many instances where parents have forgotten their child in the car, and consequently the child dies from heat exhaustion. While some parents intentionally leave their kids in the car while they run into the grocery store, others do accidentally forget. Just recently in the news a man was charged with murder because he left his 22 month-old son in the car for allegedly seven hours while he was at work. I’m sure most parents couldn’t fathom forgetting their child in a hot car, but unfortunately it happens- life gets chaotic, people get distracted, changes in your routine can throw you off, and there are those individuals who are just forgetful. So far in 2014, there have been at least thirteen heatstroke deaths of children in vehicles.

Did you know that in 10 minutes a car can heat up 20 degrees Fahrenheit from the outside temperature? That means on a breezy 88 degree day, it’s 108 degrees in your car… or hotter. 

Did you know that a child’s temperature heats up three to five times faster than an adult?

A heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash related fatalities for children 14 years and younger, and with summer in full swing, it is more important than ever to not leave your child unattended in a vehicle.

Here is a list of tips to help remind you that your precious cargo is in the backseat:

• Place a purse, laptop, briefcase, phone, one of your shoes, or anything else you will need once you reach your last destination next to your child/car seat.
• Write a sticky note(s) and put on your windshield, dashboard, steering wheel or door windows as a visual reminder: “Don’t forget the baby”.
• Keep a teddy bear/doll/stuffed animal in the car seat when your child is not occupying it, then transfer it to the front seat once you buckle your child up.
• Set a reminder, alarm or calendar event on your phone.
• Inform your child care provider of your schedule and ask them to contact you if your child never shows up to daycare.
• Enlist a friend or relative to call you at a certain time.
• Purchase a monitoring system such as Baby Alert ChildMinder System.

If you see a child alone in a car, do not hesitate to call 911.  Please remember, “Look before you lock”.