“Busy parents have a lot on their minds,” begins today’s press release from the N.C. Department Public Safety, “so give yourself a reminder. Place your purse, briefcase or other important items in the backseat next to your child’s car seat to help you remember to look in the back before leaving the car.”
That’s what we’ve come to, folks, reminding parents that their children need their protection, that cars get hot in the summertime, and hey, not to tell you how to raise your kids or anything, but maybe you shouldn’t leave your toddler in the back seat while you run inside the grocery, not even if you’re going to be just a minute, and you’ll use the Express Lane, because you know how some people, they bring 25 items to a 10-item aisle, and oh, look shiny, People Magazine says Jen had an affair with Matt before she broke up with Brad and before Brad got together with Angie, and wow, Snickers, I love Snickers bars, I used to eat them as a kid when my parents brought me inside the grocery and, wait, oh, I have a kid, and is that a siren? Is someone breaking into my car? What about my briefcase?
More pro tips from DPS:
- Never leave a child alone in a vehicle. Check to make sure all children exit the vehicle when you reach your destination.
- Lock the doors when your vehicle is parked. Teach children that cars are not places to play.
- Set a reminder on your cell phone or other mobile device to remind you to drop off children at school or daycare when routines change.
- Make an agreement with your child’s school or daycare that you will be notified if your child is not dropped off at the normal time.
- If you see a child or pet left unattended in a vehicle, call 911 immediately.
- Check vehicles and trunks first if a child goes missing.
