I’ve listed practical tips to prevent forgetting your baby in the car. Use these safe habits and tools like car seat monitors or smartphone apps to ensure your child’s safety.
To avoid forgetting your baby in the car, establishing a routine for getting in and out of the car, and preventing distractions while driving is the ideal solution. However, you can also implement these reminder systems and use a car seat monitor or smartphone app to add an extra layer of protection.
One of the biggest fears for any parent is the thought of accidentally leaving their baby in the car. It’s a nightmare scenario that does happen, and it can have tragic consequences.
According to data collected by Kids and Cars, a nonprofit organization focusing on child safety around vehicles, an average of 39 children die yearly in the United States from heatstroke after being left in a hot car. Most cases occur when a parent or caregiver forgets a child in a car.
There are many reasons why parents sometimes forget their child in the car. Maybe you’re in a rush, or you’re sleep-deprived, or you’re distracted by something else. Whatever the reason, it’s important to understand the dangers of leaving a baby in a car and take steps to prevent it from happening.
In this article, I’ll share some tips and tricks on never forgetting your baby in the car.
This article will cover the following points:
- Establish a Routine for Getting in and Out of the Car
- Implement a Reminder System
- Use a Car Seat Monitor
- Use a Smartphone App
- Prevent Distractions While Driving
- Make Sure Everyone Follows the Same System
- Conclusion
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Establish a Routine for Getting in and Out of the Car
You can develop safe habits and prevent accidents by establishing and sticking to a routine. Here are some patterns you could follow to help avoid forgetting your baby in the car.
- Get into the habit of always checking the back seat before locking the car, whether or not your child is with you. This will become a natural part of your routine and help prevent forgetfulness.
- Make it a habit to open the back door of your car every time you park and check to see if your child is in the car seat.
- Develop a routine of always placing your child’s diaper bag, toys, or other items in the backseat. You must check the backseat before leaving the car.
- Always follow the same routine every time you get in and out of the car to develop safe habits and prevent forgetfulness.
Implement a Reminder System
A study published in the Journal of Pediatrics found that in over half of the cases where a child was left in a car, the parent or caregiver believed they had already dropped off the child at daycare or another location. Creating reminders can help prevent the unthinkable and keep your child safe.
Here are some examples of reminders you could create.
- Set the alarm or reminder on your phone to go off when you typically arrive at your destination.
- Place a sticky note on your dashboard that says “Check the Backseat!” or “Don’t Forget Your Baby!”.
- Place a reminder in the front seat, such as a stuffed animal or a diaper bag, as a visual cue to check the back seat before leaving the car.
- Tie a ribbon or string around your finger as a physical reminder.
- Use a specialized car seat monitor or a smartphone app that reminds you that your child is still in the car when you exit the vehicle.
Use a Car Seat Monitor That Detects Your Child’s Presence
Several car seats monitors available on the market today can help parents and caregivers remember their child in the car. These devices are designed to alert the driver if a child is still in their car seat when the vehicle is turned off.
Some monitors use sensors that detect the child’s weight, while others use sensors that detect the presence of the child’s body heat. When the driver exits the car, an alarm will sound if the monitor detects a child is still in the car seat.
Here are a few examples:
- The KINGMELL Baby Reminder & Car Locator
: This two-in-one device reminds you to check for your child in the back seat and helps you locate your parked car. It uses GPS technology to provide directions to your vehicle and can be controlled via a smartphone app. - The STEELMATE Backseat Reminder: This device alerts drivers to check the back seat before leaving the car. It also provides an alert if the seatbelt is unbuckled while driving. It can be easily installed in any vehicle.
- The Elepho eClip Baby Reminder: This car seat monitor is a small device that attaches to your car seat and alerts you through a smartphone app if you move too far away from your car with your baby still strapped in. It also includes temperature sensors and a timer feature.
These car seat monitors should be used as an additional safety measure. They should never replace the responsibility of checking the backseat and ensuring that your child is safely removed from the car seat.
Use a Smartphone App That Reminds You of Checking The Backseat
Several smartphone apps on both iOS and Android platforms can help parents and caregivers remember their child in the car.
These apps use GPS to determine when the car has arrived at its destination and send a reminder to the driver’s phone to check the backseat. Some apps also have the option to send alerts to emergency contacts if the driver doesn’t confirm that the child has been removed from the car.
Here are a few examples:
- Waze: This navigation app has a feature that can remind you to check the backseat when you arrive at your destination. You can set the reminder to appear after a certain distance or time, and it will appear as soon as you stop the car.
- Kars4Kids Safety App: This app has a “child reminder” feature that alerts your phone when you arrive at your destination. You can customize the alert sound and frequency, and the app will also remind you to check the backseat before exiting the car.
An app on your iPhone should be used as an additional safety measure. It should always remain the responsibility to check the backseat and ensure that your child is safely removed from the car seat.
Prevent Distractions While Driving With Your Baby
In a study conducted by San Francisco State University, researchers found that most parents who had forgotten their child in the car were not negligent or reckless but rather had forgotten due to stress, distraction, or a change in routine. Therefore, one of the most important things you could do is avoid distractions while driving with your baby.
Here are some tips to help keep you focused and alert while driving.
- Put down the phone: We all know how tempting it can be to check our phones while driving, but it’s crucial to remember that using your phone. At the same time, driving can cause distractions and increase the risk of accidents. So, put your phone away, and resist the urge to check that notification until you’ve arrived at your destination.
- Avoid multitasking: Eating, grooming, or trying to attend to your baby’s needs while driving can also be dangerous distractions. So, ensure you’re well-prepared before you hit the road with your little one, and try to avoid multitasking while driving.
- Get enough rest: Being well-rested is essential to staying focused and alert while driving. So, ensure you’re getting enough sleep and take breaks if you need to when driving with your baby.
- Keep the car quiet: Loud music or other distracting noises can be dangerous while driving, especially when you have a baby in the car. Keep the music at a reasonable volume and try to minimize other distractions as much as possible.
- Plan ahead: Whether heading out for a long road trip or just a quick trip to the grocery store, ensure you’re well-prepared before you hit the road. Plan your route beforehand so you’re not distracted by GPS directions while driving.
Make Sure Everyone Who Cares for Your Child Follows the Same System
Find a routine that works best for you and your family, and communicate it with anyone responsible for your child’s care.
- Communicate with your child’s caregiver to ensure you know where your child is at all times and avoid miscommunications.
- If you have a significant other or partner who shares caregiving responsibilities, establish a routine to double-check the backseat before leaving the car.
- Set up a communication system to ensure you know your child’s whereabouts.
Conclusion
I know how easy it is to get distracted and forget things, especially when juggling multiple tasks simultaneously. But when it comes to the safety of our children, there’s no room for mistakes.
Remember, a few simple steps can save a child’s life. Whether creating reminders, following a routine or using a car seat monitor or smartphone app, many tools are available to help you never forget your baby in the car.
As parents, we are responsible for keeping our children safe, no matter what. So, let’s all make a commitment to take the necessary steps to prevent these tragedies from happening. I can breathe a little easier, knowing I’m doing everything possible to protect them.
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