Being a new parent can be exhausting especially for first time parents – the constant worrying, on-going stress and change of routine can be challenging for all of us. When travelling in a car with a baby this becomes particularly stressful since even the best of parents or caregivers can overlook a sleeping baby in the back of a car leading to potential tragic consequences.
Here is an 8 point, simple check list that you should follow without exception to help prevent a tragedy like Forgotten Baby Syndrome from occurring:
- Open the back door of your car every time you park to make sure that no one has been left behind.
- Put something in the back seat of your car to remind you to open the back door before you leave; this could be a handbag, employee badge, your house keys or any personal item you always carry with you.
- Place a stuffed animal in the front seat as a reminder that you are carrying a baby in the rear baby car seat.
- Call or text your spouse when you have dropped-off your child at daycare or at a caregiver.
- In the event your baby is not present at daycare or at a caregiver after a given time insist that you are called to say the baby has not arrived.
- Keep your vehicle locked at all times; in a garage or driveway or when you have parked outside to prevent the vehicle being used as a play area for adventurous children.
- Never leave keys accessible to your child especially remote control devices which easily open car doors.
- If your child goes missing always check your car including the trunk just in case they have made their way back in to the car.
And finally please remember forgetting a baby in the backseat of a car can happen to anyone - so please don’t think it can’t happen to you. As a general rule always look in the rear seats before you leave your car and always lock your car. This will help keep you baby safe and prevent a tragedy from happening.
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