Every time I read or see headlines about parents inadvertently leaving a young child in the car, my heart breaks into a million pieces.
Especially when such cases include the death of children. Just like in 2020, when a nine-month-old baby died of heatstroke after being left in the backseat of a multipurpose vehicle for four hours.
The victim’s father was supposed to drop her off at a nursery in Indera Mahkota but it slipped his mind. In the same year, a 4-year-old girl also died of heatstroke when she was accidentally left by her father in his parked car.
According to the New Straits Times, psychotherapist and researcher Dr Chua Sook Ning classified this as Forgotten Baby Syndrome, which depicts a circumstance whereby parents lose awareness of their child in the car.
Can you fathom losing a child in that manner? It would undoubtedly have an impact on us parents for the rest of our lives.
But, still, that doesn’t stop us from hearing this type of news more often than we might expect. Unfortunately.
And as much as some may like to criticise the parents, it wouldn’t be fair because we don’t know what they’re going through.
Some of the main reasons for this predicament may be that the parents are fatigued, distracted, or in a hurry for work. And it usually happens when children are sitting in the back seat.
To prevent this from happening, all parents should be more alert and more cautious. As you read on, I’ll explain the risks of leaving children unattended in vehicles and the safeguards I take.
What are the Risks of Leaving Kids in the Car
I believe that no responsible parent would leave their children unsupervised in a vehicle. Yet, there have been cases where parents did this on purpose since they believe they will only be gone for a short time.
That is a big no-no because you’ll never know what can happen. Leaving children unattended in cars is risky and perhaps fatal.
There are numerous risks associated with leaving children unattended in cars, including:
- Heatstroke, dehydration, suffocation, and death.
- Kids might release the handbrake on the car, causing it to move abruptly.
- Stepped out of the car and onto the road.
- Messing with the car windows, which might cause them to fall out or become trapped.
- Suffocate on food, a toy, or other items that are within reach.
- Someone could break into your car, steal it, or take your children away.
- A high chance of you being accidentally locked out of the car.
Tips I Follow to Avoid Accidentally Leaving My Kids in the Car
Here are some of the precautions I take, as recommended by raisingchildren.net.au. Especially when I’m driving with my little one in the back seat, who could fall asleep and I don’t remember bringing her with me if I’m in a hurry:
1. Establish a routine when leaving the car
This involves always checking the back seat of the car before leaving it. Even if you know you’re on your own, make it a habit to look behind. Once you’re used to it, you’ll find yourself checking for your child without even thinking about it.
Also, you might incorporate the following into your routine to help you remember that your child is in the car:
- Keep your child’s bag or lunchbox visible in the front seat.
- Leave something on the back seat next to your child.
- Place something valuable, such as a wallet or backpack, in the back seat near your kid.
- Leave a reminder post-it note or sticker on your car window or near your door handle, where you’ll see it when you get out of the car. It could say something like ‘Look before you lock’ or ‘Check the back seat’.
You can also request that the carer or childcare facility call you if your child hasn’t arrived, say, after 30 minutes of waiting.
2. Less distraction means a greater focus
There is a higher chance of accidentally leaving your child in the car when there are too many distractions present. It’s all because they overload your short-term memory, causing you to lose focus and forget things.
You may limit distractions by doing the following:
- leaving enough time for your trip so that you are not rushed
- placing your phone on silent or on flight mode
- use a GPS when travelling new routes so you have fewer things to remember
- turning off the radio if it causes you to get carried away
Nonetheless, children are sometimes left in cars unintentionally due to distractions that you cannot control or because of a change in routine. For example, you normally drive directly to work but have been asked to drop your child off at the nursery first.
Hence, it’s crucial to establish a safe routine that includes checking the back seat for your kid on every car ride.
3. Take care of yourself, mentally and physically
Parents, especially new parents, are prone to feeling fatigued, stressed, or anxious. This can impair your memory and make it more likely that you will forget your child is in the car.
Self-care is an important part of mitigating this risk.
Obtain Sufficient Sleep
One thing is for sure, you need to try to get enough sleep. I struggle with this as well because I co-sleep and my child is a light sleeper. But, it’s worth a shot, no matter how difficult it is. Getting more sleep will leave you feeling more rested and less agitated.
If you have a baby or a young child, you can try obtaining more sleep by going to bed earlier. Or taking an afternoon nap on weekends.
When you’re excessively weary, it’s advisable to avoid driving. If there is an emergency, you can either ask someone else to drive or take public transportation. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, right?
Managing Stress or Anxiety
It’s also crucial to keep an eye out for signs of stress or anxiety and take action to control these emotions. The signs include excessive worrying, difficulty sleeping, and a racing heart.
Among the methods for controlling stress or anxiety are:
- engaging in breathing or positive thinking exercises
- discussing issues with friends or family
- finding time for activities that you enjoy
Don’t Take This Matter Lightly
All parents should be aware that leaving their children unattended in a vehicle is a crime.
According to The Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), parents who recklessly leave their children alone in the vehicle face an RM50,000 fine or a jail time of up to 20 years.
Individual negligence in leaving their child in an unattended vehicle is an offence under Section 31 (1) (a) of the Children Act 2001.
So, don’t take things like this for granted, and always check your car before you leave.
Moreover, don’t purposely leave your kids in the car for the reason that you’ll only be gone for a few minutes.
Anything can happen in a split second, let alone minutes. We don’t want to be careless or make hasty decisions that we may later regret. Okay, mummies?
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