BATON ROUGE, LA – With schools
out and temperatures rising, Attorney General Jeff Landry is encouraging
Louisiana parents and guardians to practice safety when it comes to children
and hot vehicles.
“In the last 20 years, over 700 children in America have died after being left
in a car,” said General Landry. “So I implore all citizens to take the steps
necessary to help prevent fatalities like these in the future.”
To ensure children are not left in hot vehicles, General Landry encourages the
following tips:
- Leave something in the backseat that you
cannot be without - such as a cellphone, a purse, or a shoe. When you go
to retrieve it at the end of the ride, you will notice your child.
- Sit your younger (or quieter) child behind the
front passenger seat, where he or she is more likely to catch your eye.
- Keep a stuffed animal in the car seat when it
is empty. When you put your child in the seat, move the animal to the
front passenger seat. The furry passenger will serve as a reminder that
your child is in the back.
- If someone else is dropping your child off at
daycare or school, insist he or she contacts you once the child is
delivered safely.
- Make it a habit to check the backseat each
time you get out of the vehicle and before you lock the door, even if you
are not transporting your child on that ride. Doing this every time will
instill the habit.
- Never assume someone else (a spouse, an older
child, etc.) has taken a young child out of the car seat and vehicle.
- Keep your vehicle locked and your keys secured
out of child’s reach.
- Teach your child that vehicles are not play
spaces. Keep rear fold-down seats upright to prevent crawling into the
trunk from inside your vehicle.
- Get your child out of the vehicle first - and
then worry about getting groceries or other items - when you get home,
even if the child is sleeping or content.
- Be on alert for vehicles that might have an
unattended child left inside. If you see a child alone in a vehicle,
immediately call 911 and help make sure the child gets out as soon as
possible.
“There is nothing more valuable
to parents than their children’s safety,” concluded General Landry. “By simply
taking a few extra minutes and adding new habits to daily routines, we can help
save children's lives.”
For more safety tips, please visit www.agjefflandry.com.
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