We've all heard horrific story after horrific story of babies who have died in hot cars after their parents have forgotten they are in the back seat. Each time, it gets harder and harder to think about how badly those children suffered -- and how devastated and guilty their parents must feel.
As careful as we all are while caring for our kids, we all make mistakes, and sadly, summer isn't the only time of year when parents need to get into the habit of checking the back seat before exiting their vehicles.
Just yesterday, a dad in New York forgot to drop his baby off at day care -- and the 1-year-old was left alone in the car for eight hours in absolutely freezing temperatures.
And the worst part is, he didn't even realize that he'd driven to work, parked the car, and forgotten about his son until his wife called him later that afternoon to ask about the baby.
OMG. Considering just how incredibly cold it is in the northeast this week, I can't even imagine how panicked that father must have felt upon realizing he'd left his baby in the car.
An ambulance was called immediately, and thankfully (and also quite miraculously), the little boy is ok after his ordeal.
But nevertheless, this story should serve as a stern reminder to every parent that they need to be just as diligent about making sure their back seat is empty and child-free in cold temperatures as they do when it's sweltering hot out.
When it comes to the safety of our babies, we should never be so naive as to think that something like this could never happen to us. All of us are guilty of being forgetful at one point or another during our hectic lives. That's why we MUST get into the habit of turning around and checking the back seat each and every single time we drive anywhere -- no matter what time of year it is.
Forgetting to glance behind you just one time may wind up being a matter of life and death for the baby who is your entire world, so turn around. Even if you're positive you've already done it -- do it again.
Have you gotten into the habit of checking your back seat yet?
Image via bradleygee/Flickr
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Comments 78
I guess I just don't understand how anyone can forget their child is in the car.
I completely agree with the first 2 comments. ^^^^^^
I have a hard time accepting leaving a baby in a car for hours as a 'mistake'.... A mistake is getting 2% when one wanted 1% or forgetting to clean the cat box before company came...
Leaving a baby in a car for hours in any kind of weather is just neglect.
For me personally I can't imagine forgetting my daughter in the car, but I wouldn't put it past my husband to forget. People get into routine. If they are out of routine they can forget. My husband is a routine person and getting him to change a routine or step outside a routine is very difficult. This is why why he has to pick up or drop off our daughter I text him shortly after to see how everything went.
Wow glad he didn't freeze to death
How can someone forget there kids!