Summer Car Safety for Kids

By Sally Kuzemchak

Scary fact: A child trapped inside a hot car can suffocate quickly. When it's 93�F out, the temperature inside a car can reach 125�F in 20 minutes -- even with a window cracked. "It's an unrecognized public health hazard," says Angela Mickalide, Ph.D., program director for the National Safe Kids Campaign. To protect your child:

Never leave him in an unattended car, even if the windows are down.
Always keep your car locked, even when it's in the driveway or garage.
Keep automobile keys out of reach and out of sight of children.
Teach older children how to disable child-resistant locks in case of emergency.
Make sure your trunk or hatch is locked at all times.
Keep rear fold-down seats closed so kids won't crawl into the trunk.
Call your auto dealership about having your car retrofitted with a release mechanism inside the trunk.

07-01-2001

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