Not long ago, a local mom shared her story on Facebook about leaving their baby in the car inadvertently. We have permission to use her story, and the names have been changed.

I’m writing through tears right now. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I would leave my child in a car. Unfortunately, I did today. We closed on a house today so our routines changed. We were planning to leave both children with my in-laws, but the baby was fussy and so we took her with us. She typically screams in the car and is impossible to forget, but this time she snoozed soundly on our way to Home Depot. Meanwhile, Robert and I got wrapped up in a debate, got out of the car and went inside, and completely forgetting about her. Read that again: WE FORGOT. How do you forget a child in a car? My own flesh and blood. Those who know me know that my children are my world! I think about them all of the time, and I was thinking about her while I was inside Home Depot. I was thinking about how much fun she must be having with her grandparents, not that she was trapped in a hot car.

We checked out after 15 minutes and left. It hit us both at the same time that we had left her and we took off running for the car. Panic set in and I was praying that she would be alive. Thank GOD someone saw her right after we walked away, pulled her out of the car and called the police. We were greeted by an angry mob (rightfully so) of people telling us we shouldn’t have kids and, “HOW DO YOU LEAVE A BABY IN A CAR!?” Police showed up and accused us of doing this regularly because, let’s face it, how do BOTH parents forget?

How? We got wrapped up in a debate and we went inside, forgetting that plans had changed and the baby was in the back seat That’s how. I feel so embarrassed and irresponsible right now but the point is this: it CAN happen to you. You may think you love your children so much that this could never happen, but that is foolish. It happens…it happens all of the time. Take precautions, even if you think this could never happen to you. Leave your shoes in the backseat, put a teddy bear on the dash, get a smart car seat….do SOMETHING to remind you every time you leave the car. It might sound stupid. It might make you feel ridiculous. But PLEASE don’t be so self-righteous that you don’t take any precautions when it comes to your child’s life. I am so very thankful for the angry mob that got involved tonight and got my child out of the car. I can say with certainty that it will never happen to ME again but can you be sure it will never happen to you?

Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition Safety Program: Avoid Infant Heatstroke in Vehicles

Keys temperatures are great for the pool and the beach, but they’re not so good for the inside of cars, where the interior can rise to deadly temperatures in a very short period of time. Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition reminds caregivers to never leave children alone in cars.

Since 1998, over 600 children across the United States have died in cars from heatstroke – that’s one child every 10 days. Sadly, Florida is one of 5 states with the highest number of child vehicular heat stroke fatalities.

Many people are shocked to learn how hot the inside of a car can actually get. On an 80 degree day, the temperature inside of a car can rise 20 degrees in as little as 10 minutes and keep getting hotter with each passing minute. And cracking the window doesn’t help.

Heatstroke sets in when the body isn’t able to cool itself quickly enough. A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s, making them more susceptible to heatstroke. When a child’s internal temperature reaches 104 degrees, major organs begin to shut down, and when that temperature reaches 107 degrees, the child can die.

“The key to preventing these tragedies is for every parent and caregiver to understand that this can happen to anybody,” said Leah Stockton, Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition Community Liaison. “It can also be avoided with a little awareness and by taking a few simple precautions.”

There are a number of ways to avoid this tragedy.

SafeKids.org suggests leaving an item of importance next to your child – including a briefcase, purse or cell phone, your left shoe – anything you need once you reach your destination.

Make a habit of looking into all the seats of the vehicle before you exit or walk away.

Set up a system with your child care provider. Have them call you if your child has not been dropped off at the normal time.

Put a stuffed animal in the car seat when your child is not in it – when you put your child in the seat, take the animal out and put it next to you as a reminder.

Use technology to help you.

Create a calendar reminder to drop your child off at daycare.

Purchase a car seat that “talks” to your car and reminds you that the baby is still in the seat.

There are several apps, such as Precious Cargo, that provide heat warnings in vehicles which are extremely easy to use and will keep you constantly alert.

The Florida Keys Healthy Start Coalition is asking everyone to help protect kids by remembering to ACT:

A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.

C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.

T: Take action. If you see a baby alone in a car, enter the establishment with the model, color and license of the vehicle and have the owner paged. Call 911 if the baby appears to be in physical distress.

While FKHSC’s mission is to serve Florida Keys babies, many in our community have “furry babies” that are just as important. Please keep these tips in mind when caring for all babies and pets.

Any Monroe County parent who needs assistance with safety supplies or basic needs for their young children can contact Healthy Start at 305-293-8424.