Be especially careful about keeping children safe in and around cars during busy times, schedule changes, periods of crisis, or holidays. There are an alarming number of children who have been injured or killed after being left alone in or around vehicles. According to Janette Fennell, founder of KIDS AND CARS, at least 213 children died as a result of non-traffic incidents in 2005, the largest number of deaths in a single year. “Backover” incidents injure or kill over 2,500 children each year with over 70% of these incidents involving an immediate family member. Another disturbing trend we see emerging is that children are being killed as vehicles slowly move forward in driveways and parking lots.

Some real-life scenarios where children were injured or killed, include:

• Children let themselves into an unlocked parked car and lock themselves in or put the car in gear;
• The caretaker unknowingly leaves the child behind (e.g., parent forgets to bring the child to child care and the child is left in the car while the parent works or the child is left in the vehicle after a field trip) and dies of heat stroke;
• The child is intentionally left alone in the car while the caretaker engages in another activity (e.g., runs an errand, drops a child off at school) and is abducted, strangled by a power window or sets the vehicle in motion; or
• The child is behind the car when the car is backing out of the driveway and, because they cannot be seen, the child is run over.

To avoid this from happening you can:

• Tell parents about the dangers of leaving children alone in or around vehicles.
• Post a KIDS AND CARS poster ( HYPERLINK www.KidsAndCars.org)
• Keep car keys out of reach of children and keep vehicles locked, even in the driveway and garage.
• Ask your child care provider to call you if your child, who is expected at child care is not dropped off within 1-2 hours of the expected arrival time. Be sure to let the child care provider know if your child will not be attending child care as normally scheduled.
• Ensure that children are not left unattended in vehicles.
• Be sure all children are accounted for before moving a vehicle or exiting a vehicle.

For more information about this issue contact KIDS AND CARS at www.KidsAndCars.org.

Safely on the Move (866)700-7686 www.safelyonthemove.sdsu.edu.

Sources:

1. CBS News, The Early Show, Consumer Watch New York, July 1st, 2005, “Never Leave Kids Alone in the Car” www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/07/21/earlyshow/living/ConsumerWatch/main710550.shtml

    

2. C. McLaren, J. Null, and J. Quinn Heat Stress from enclosed vehicles: Moderate Ambient Temperatures Cause Significant Temperature Rise in Enclosed Vehicles. Pediatrics 2005;116;109-112 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2004-2368 ggweather.com/heat/index.htm

    

3. Statistics, KidsAndCars.org

   About The Article
   This information provided by San Diego State University Foundation.

According to a study* by Impulse Research, while 99 percent of parents eat out with their kids, 25 percent find the experience hectic, hurried and not at all enjoyable. The top reasons for this displeasure: waiting a long time for food (40 percent), unable to find a menu that will please both parents and children (35 percent) and dealing with misbehavior (30 percent).

Is It Really Worth the Wait?
“Waiting anywhere with your children can be a problem, but it becomes exacerbated when they are hungry. Sometimes it’s too much to ask our young ones to stand in line with the aroma from the kitchen filling the air and tantalizing food posters on the walls around them, “ explains Elizabeth Pantley, parenting expert and author of Perfect Parenting: The Dictionary of 1,000 Parenting Tips. “Having a plan and realistic expectations are both important,” she continues. “When possible, plan to dine at a reasonable time, before the kids become famished. Seat the kids at a table while you stand in line. Bring along a few simple toys, like a deck of cards, that can keep the kids occupied while they wait. For younger kids, have a bag of dried cereal to munch on until the meal arrives.”

Pleasing Parents and Their Kids
Many restaurants that appeal to children aren’t the first choice of parents. “There are places that cater to all generations,” Pantley says. “You just need to look around. For example, a comfortable, casual destination like KFC offers a Kids Laptop Pack with choices like chicken strips and macaroni & cheese. They also serve real homestyle chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy and baked beans that satisfy more grown-up tastes. If everyone can find a favorite on the menu, then eating out can be fun for the whole family.”

Keeping the Kids Entertained
“Adults view dining out as a rich, social experience, while kids just want to eat and run,” Pantley explains. Once the kids have eaten enough to satisfy their hunger, they look for entertainment. “Bored kids misbehave; busy kids tend not to act out. So bring toys with you or use what’s available. Try letting the kids stack sugar packs, play ‘I spy,’ or enjoy a few rounds of tabletop coin hockey. And keep your post-meal conversation short. The longer you stay, the more likely the kids will act up.”

Copyright Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill, 2003)

About the author:
Elizabeth Pantley is the author of several books, including Gentle Baby Care : No-cry, No-fuss, No-worry — Essential Tips for Raising Your Baby, The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night, Kid Cooperation (with an introduction by William Sears, MD), Perfect Parenting, as well as her latest The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers and is also president of Better Beginnings, Inc. She is a popular speaker on family issues, and her newsletter, Parent Tips, is seen in schools nationwide. She appears as a regular radio show guest, and has been quoted in Parents, Parenting, Redbook, Good Housekeeping, American Baby, Working Mother, and Woman’s Day magazines. Visit Elizabeth’s web site http://www.pantley.com/elizabeth.

The Diaper Bag
Don’t wait till you are ready to leave to stock the diaper bag. If possible check for supplies before you leave while baby is napping. Even the night before if you know you are heading somewhere. Make sure you have plenty of diapers and wipes to get you through your trip. Also make sure you have a couple of changes of clothes for your baby jut incase there is an accident.

Schedule Extra Time
It takes a while to get baby ready to go. After making sure he has a clean diaper you have to get him dressed, get him in his car seat, grab the diaper bag (which should already be stocked), grab a blanket and maybe a couple of toys, pack some snacks if your baby is at the age to have snacks, and a bottle or sippy of some type of fluid. Once you have everything in hand, you have to get your baby out of the house and strapped into the car. This whole process can easily take 15-20 extra minutes before you leave.

While out it is likely that you will spend more time than normal doing even the simplest things. You will have to take time outs to feed the baby and change a diaper. Many times as soon as you change him, you will have to change him again. A simple 10 minute trip the store, can easily and quickly turn into an hour long trip, or longer.

Feeding Your Baby
Especially if you are breastfeeding and your baby won’t take a bottle, feed him before you leave the house. If you feed him he will not only be full and should be able to go a couple of hours without eating, but he will be happier and might actually sleep. If your baby will take a bottle, take one with you in case you need it suddenly, and if he is old enough take some snacks like cheerios and goldfish.

Naptime
Most babies will fall asleep in the car. If yours falls asleep easily in the car and you have a long drive to make, try to schedule it at your baby’s naptime. If your baby is asleep then running errands and such will go much faster. If your baby will not sleep in the car, the schedule your outings to coincide with the time your baby wakes up. This way he is well rested and happy, instead of tired and cranky.

Going out with your baby really is a test of timing, patience and good planning in order to guarantee that it will be a successful and fun time for everyone involved. While out just remember to listen to and pay attention to your baby’s cues. Babies are great at letting us know when they are unhappy or just simply want to be held.