PSA- Reminders NOT to leave baby in car

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

Hi ladies. I'm sorry to bring up an upsetting subject but if we all have been watching the news, we know that unfortunately another baby died in the back of an SUV in Florida the other day.

I know we've also had a few threads on this, but I think it doesn't hurt to keep talking about ideas of how to prevent this from happening.

So far we have had doing things like leaving your wallet or your purse or your cell phone in the back by baby.

Mizuiro007 · September 2015

I've heard of leaving one of your shoes in the back seat as well. I also heard of some companies working on carseats that will set off an alarm if you leave the baby, similar to your car dining if you leave the keys in the ignition and the drivers door is open.

For myself I have my purse (clutch) and cell phone in the diaper bag which I keep in the back seat. So I go back and get DS and grab the diaper bag.

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

I was also thinking that perhaps (for those of us that have pushbutton starts) to leave the actual car keys with baby. Because the car won't let you lock the doors without it.

carebear9703 · September 2015

For those of you with push button starts, do you set your car to auto lock? I'm scared of locking baby in the car on accident. I was told you can't lock the keys in but somehow my DH did once.

Note: it was according to him, I did not see it for myself... I'm am a bit skeptical.

Mizuiro007 · September 2015

carebear9703 said:
For those of you with push button starts, do you set your car to auto lock? I'm scared of locking baby in the car on accident. I was told you can't lock the keys in but somehow my DH did once.

Note: it was according to him, I did not see it for myself... I'm am a bit skeptical.

Our car isn't push button start but does auto lock. We've learned to always keep a door open enough it's easy to reach in and unlock it if it does lock before we're ready.

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

carebear9703 said:
For those of you with push button starts, do you set your car to auto lock? I'm scared of locking baby in the car on accident. I was told you can't lock the keys in but somehow my DH did once.

Note: it was according to him, I did not see it for myself... I'm am a bit skeptical.

No. Our cars will not autolock with the keys inside of them.

*typo and to add, I'm not sure what kind of car you drive, I'm not sure if it's possible to autolock but it might.

amw2133 · September 2015

I know that Walmart is partnering with a company that will cause the car seat to beep when the car is off. I currently put my purse in the back seat so
I will continue this habit when baby is here.

spottedginger · September 2015

BostonBaby1 said:

carebear9703 said:
For those of you with push button starts, do you set your car to auto lock? I'm scared of locking baby in the car on accident. I was told you can't lock the keys in but somehow my DH did once.

Note: it was according to him, I did not see it for myself... I'm am a bit skeptical.
No. Our cars will not autolock with the keys inside of them.

*typo and to add, I'm not sure what kind of car you drive, I'm not sure if it's possible to autolock but it might.

If the battery in the key fob is dead, it is possible for you to lock the car with your key inside. However, if the key is working, it shouldn't happen.

ACarter0914 · September 2015

I just think it's so crazy! Don't get me wrong I understand how it happens. I've done that whole zombie mom thing but I couldn't imagine leaving my daughter or future son in the car. I fully plan on leaving the diaper bag with my wallet, cell phone, ext. in the back of the car with them but a child is kind of a part of you like a big part of you and just to "forget" them seems nutzo to me!

As a parent we all need to know our limits..when it's time to take a break and let your spouse/family take the kids to get your sanity back so stuff like this doesn't happen.

I know I'm going to get torn apart for this but it drives me crazy to see parents leave there kids in the car by accident.

colsen4 · September 2015

spottedginger said:

BostonBaby1 said:

carebear9703 said:
For those of you with push button starts, do you set your car to auto lock? I'm scared of locking baby in the car on accident. I was told you can't lock the keys in but somehow my DH did once.

Note: it was according to him, I did not see it for myself... I'm am a bit skeptical.
No. Our cars will not autolock with the keys inside of them.

*typo and to add, I'm not sure what kind of car you drive, I'm not sure if it's possible to autolock but it might.
If the battery in the key fob is dead, it is possible for you to lock the car with your key inside. However, if the key is working, it shouldn't happen.

My dads car has dead spots. If you put the key fob in the cup holder it can't be detected.

courtney198078 · September 2015

It is possible to lock keys in the vehicle I would never trust the fact that it is not supposed to do that. I have a new truck purchased brand new a year ago and the truck is pretty much run by computer and we had programming issues with it and it would randomly lock individual doors when we got out of truck with keys inside supposedly they have updated and fixed it but it still occasionally locks on its own thank goodness for onstar it has been a great investment. But I would never trust the fact that it isn't supposed to lock while keys are in it.

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

It should be noted that this person taking care of the baby that was locked in the car last Friday in Florida I do not think was the mother. I think it was somebody taking care of the baby. I think it is also possible that the baby was in the back and a third row where perhaps the woman doesn't normally keep children.

I understand what you all are saying about the keys. However, my keys are detected in the car in the cupholder. The key fobs would never go dead inside the car because we are in the city so either we are parked on the street and wouldn't leave the keys in the car or if in the garage, they take the fob out so that it doesn't drain the key fob battery. They recharge while the battery is running but for some reason in the SUV, it will drain if they are left in there with the car turned off.

Anyhow, if the doors automatically locked with the child inside, I would have absolutely no problem breaking the window. The last time we had an emergency, it took literally 90 seconds for the police to arrive so I'm pretty sure that we could get the window broken fast. However, it is a very good thing to note for people that do not have access for emergency crews fast like that.

Gingermom15 · September 2015

My SO's car isn't supposed to lock while the key is inside the car, but lately there's been some fluke that the car locks itself automatically regardless of where the keys are or if the car is running with the keys in the ignition. The battery isn't going dead and nobody can figure out what sort of issue this is. So be prepared that anything can happen even when it's not supposed to. He keeps an extra key in his wallet and the wallet never leaves his pants pocket.
Nobody can see themselves locking their child in the car it forgetting they are there, but this isn't a perfect world and it does happen. Have a game plan to remember your baby and a plan incase of accidentally locking him/her in the car.

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

sarahgn said:
My SO's car isn't supposed to lock while the key is inside the car, but lately there's been some fluke that the car locks itself automatically regardless of where the keys are or if the car is running with the keys in the ignition. The battery isn't going dead and nobody can figure out what sort of issue this is. So be prepared that anything can happen even when it's not supposed to. He keeps an extra key in his wallet and the wallet never leaves his pants pocket.
Nobody can see themselves locking their child in the car it forgetting they are there, but this isn't a perfect world and it does happen. Have a game plan to remember your baby and a plan incase of accidentally locking him/her in the car.

Oh. I'm definitely not saying I'm only going to rely on the key. I also plan to leave my purse back there but I'm surprised so many people are having keyless issues.

When we have our car at the garage, we 100%rely on the cars not locking themselves and as there is a car elevator, it's concerning to hear about this happening so often.

tmo51324 · September 2015

I have locked my two youngest in the car. I put the keys and my phone in the bag and put it on the floor in the back of the car, closed the back door and when I went to then open the drivers door it was locked. Something in the bag must have landed on the key fob hard enough to push the lock button. Luckily someone let me use their phone and my mum lived around the corner with a spare set of keys so it was all over in 5 mins. But something to think about! xx

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

Wow! I can't believe how many people are having problems with their keys locking in the car. Are all of these newer cars? Because this should not be happening.

If you leave the key fob in the car overnight, it will drain the battery of the key fob in many cars and therefore the car can lock itself because it would not recognize the key inside.

I have a German car which is pretty efficient, but DH drives a British car and they're not terribly known for reliability. Definitely something to think about. Luckily both of our cars have assistance that can unlock them remotely.

redfallon · September 2015

As far as forgetting the baby in the car, I have a mirror attached to the seat that DD uses, so I always see her face in my rearview mirror. I would have to be really off to forget that she was there.

courtney198078 · September 2015

BostonBaby1 said:
Wow! I can't believe how many people are having problems with their keys locking in the car. Are all of these newer cars? Because this should not be happening.

If you leave the key fob in the car overnight, it will drain the battery of the key fob in many cars and therefore the car can lock itself because it would not recognize the key inside.

I have a German car which is pretty efficient, but DH drives a British car and they're not terribly known for reliability. Definitely something to think about. Luckily both of our cars have assistance that can unlock them remotely.

My truck is a 2014 I never leave my keys in the truck. Fortunately I am a sahm and my kids are always with me I would never leave them in car bc they are like a third appendage if their not with me it feels abnormal. They few times my truck has locked my truck was running with ac on and I put them in the car seats and when I went to get in the truck all the doors had locked for me that's why onstar has a blessing bc I call them and the first thing the recording says is if you have a child or pet locked in vehicle press 1 and someone comes on right away and unlocks the vehicle. Fortunately I also had my phone on me otherwise I wouldn't think twice about breaking a window. It has really been a nice feature but I think only GMC has this option.

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

courtney198078 said:

BostonBaby1 said:
Wow! I can't believe how many people are having problems with their keys locking in the car. Are all of these newer cars? Because this should not be happening.

If you leave the key fob in the car overnight, it will drain the battery of the key fob in many cars and therefore the car can lock itself because it would not recognize the key inside.

I have a German car which is pretty efficient, but DH drives a British car and they're not terribly known for reliability. Definitely something to think about. Luckily both of our cars have assistance that can unlock them remotely.
My truck is a 2014 I never leave my keys in the truck. Fortunately I am a sahm and my kids are always with me I would never leave them in car bc they are like a third appendage if their not with me it feels abnormal. They few times my truck has locked my truck was running with ac on and I put them in the car seats and when I went to get in the truck all the doors had locked for me that's why onstar has a blessing bc I call them and the first thing the recording says is if you have a child or pet locked in vehicle press 1 and someone comes on right away and unlocks the vehicle. Fortunately I also had my phone on me otherwise I wouldn't think twice about breaking a window. It has really been a nice feature but I think only GMC has this option.

That's so scary!!! My car also has a system similar to OnStar button specific to the brand of car that I have. I guess the car that I should probably be worried about would be DH's. His system is constantly being updated and he can basically run the car from his phone… But that would probably lead to the potential for more issues. ?

*ETA- i'm actually not very concerned about leaving my own children in the car. I can't imagine doing that! But apparently it does happen because of what happened last week.

Also, I don't drive every day. So I don't think that I would get into a routine that I would zombie my way through. Worst case scenario, I would have no problem breaking a window immediately. I would find whatever I would have to in order to break-in. Luckily, there are police and firefighters everywhere in my area.

tralalablah · September 2015

Also, depending on where you live, you likely have plenty of time unless it's summer. I locked my keys in the car after strapping Ingrid in when leaving the post office (my old car, no on-star or anything), cell phone also on the inside, and within a few minutes of me looking forlorn and wondering what the heck to do, a locksmith happened to be at the post office as well, and got the door open in under five minutes. It was spring and maybe mid-50s out, so time wasn't a factor, even though it was still nerve-wracking.

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

tralalablah said:
Also, depending on where you live, you likely have plenty of time unless it's summer. I locked my keys in the car after strapping Ingrid in when leaving the post office (my old car, no on-star or anything), cell phone also on the inside, and within a few minutes of me looking forlorn and wondering what the heck to do, a locksmith happened to be at the post office as well, and got the door open in under five minutes. It was spring and maybe mid-50s out, so time wasn't a factor, even though it was still nerve-wracking.

So scary. Glad the locksmith happened to be there!

keiragann · September 2015

I think it's pretty sad when you have to remind people not to leave their children in the car.

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

keiragann said:
I think it's pretty sad when you have to remind people not to leave their children in the car.

Absolutely but when I saw the story on CNN, it was yet another reminder that this does happen.

keiragann · September 2015

BostonBaby1 said:

I think it's pretty sad when you have to remind people not to leave their children in the car.
Absolutely but when I saw the story on CNN, it was yet another reminder that this does happen.

Oh I agree completely with talking about it I was just putting it out there how crazy it feels to have to have that conversation at all.

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

keiragann said:

BostonBaby1 said:

keiragann said:
I think it's pretty sad when you have to remind people not to leave their children in the car.
Absolutely but when I saw the story on CNN, it was yet another reminder that this does happen.

Oh I agree completely with talking about it I was just putting it out there how crazy it feels to have to have that conversation at all.

Agreed!!!

nik6499 · September 2015

I don't think it's crazy at all. Every parents with a small child has done the "did I or did I not drop them off" check at least once. I can see how this can happen especially with multiple parents dropping the kiddo off at daycare etc. mistakes happen, it's not your typical day you drive on autopilot baby is sleeping and silent and you just don't think. It can happen. Thinking it will never happen to you can be dangerous, it's paranoia and caution that help us prevent these kinds of mistakes.

I know at least with infant seats we had a rule, the infant seat is not in the car if they baby isn't. We dropped the seat off at daycare regardless to try to help. And yes I would still check most days when j got to work and didn't remember the drive. I go to work at 5am sometimes it's not exactly like I'm firing on all cylinders at that point.

BostonBaby1 · September 2015

@nik6499 Exactly though. We all can make mistakes and that's why I find it so crazy. At least because it just keeps happening. Which is why I felt compelled to bring it up again.

Has anyone thought of getting into a habit with SO of whenever the baby gets dropped off, you text one another? Like a "time-out."

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