Children and Vehicle Safety

Use these items as reminders to help keep your children safe.

While parked in a driveway, your car can be especially hazardous. Unlocked cars pose serious risks to children who are naturally curious and often lack fear. Once they crawl in, children don't have the developmental capability to get out. More than a third of deaths reported last year occurred when children crawled into unlocked cars while playing, they became trapped and perished in the sweltering heat.
Teach children not to play in or around cars.
Always lock car doors and trunks even at home.
Be wary of child-resistant locks. Teach older children how to disable the driver's door locks if they unintentionally become entrapped in a motor vehicle.
Check to make sure all children leave the vehicle when you reach your destination.
Don't over look sleeping infants.
Watch children closely around cars, particularly when loading and unloading.
Make sure you check the temperature of the car seat surface and safety belt buckles before restraining your children in the car.
Use a light covering to shade the seat of your parked car. Consider using windshield shades in front and back windows.

Trunks are for Elephants, not for Kids

Children may think the trunk is a "fun" hiding place, but if they become trapped, they could suffer a devastating heat stroke leading to permanent injury or death. Keep car keys out of children's reach and sight.

Keep the trunk of your car locked at all times, especially when parked in the driveway or near the home.
Keep the rear fold-down seats closed to help prevent kids from getting into the trunk from inside the car
Contact your automobile dealership about getting your vehicle retrofitted with a trunk release mechanism
If your child gets locked inside a car, get him/her out and dial 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately.