Every year, millions of children are left alone in or around vehicles. This danger is greatly underestimated, and within a few minutes, your child could

• die from heat stroke or carbon monoxide poisoning
• be abducted or become trapped in the vehicle’s trunk
• get hit, be run over accidentally, and be seriously injured or killed by a driver who may be coming out of a parking space or driveway
• be injured or killed from interaction with power windows and sunroofs.

Unattended Children
Never allow children a way to gain access into a vehicle, and never leave children alone in a vehicle. Make sure they can’t get the keys or remote locking/unlocking devices to get into the vehicle. Children might be able to start the vehicle or put it in neutral so it rolls away.

Weather
Children quickly become ill or die from heat build-up inside the vehicle; temperatures inside the vehicle can rise quickly even in moderately warm weather. Children also can freeze from the extreme low temperatures when the climate is cold.

Trunk Entrapment
Children trapped in trunks can die of suffocation or heat stroke. Once in the trunk, they may not be able to get out, even if they entered through the interior, because many rear seats only release to the trunk from inside the passenger area.

Interior Trunk Releases
Almost all passenger cars with trunks manufactured after September 1, 2001, are required to be equipped with interior trunk releases. This safety feature is intended to help individuals, including children, who may become locked in the trunk of a vehicle to escape. Check with your automobile dealer for specific information on the type of trunk release system offered and which vehicle manufacturers offer retrofit kits for older cars.

Power Windows and Sun Roofs
With keys left in the ignition, children can activate window or sun roof controls and be seriously injured or killed. Always remove the keys from the ignition and never leave children alone in a vehicle.

Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
Death by unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning occurs most often in motor vehicles (moving or stationary). Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning by avoiding conditions that place you and vehicle occupants in closed spaces where exhaust accumulates.

Other tips include:

• Once a year, before cold weather begins, check and repair holes in mufflers or exhaust pipes that can cause carbon monoxide to leak into your vehicle.
• After heavy snowfalls, be sure to inspect the vehicle to see that tail pipe outlets are cleared of snow before the engine is started.
• When the vehicle is idling, keep a window open.
• Do not sit in a vehicle that is idling in a closed garage or confined space.
• Open the garage door fully before starting the engine, then drive out as soon as possible.

Kids Aren’t Cargo!
Never let children ride or play in the cargo area, trunk or bed of any vehicle. They can be thrown from the vehicle in the event of a crash, sudden stop, or even a rough road.

Keep children safe by keeping them out of your vehicle unless you are there!

Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and www.safercar.gov