Safety Tips

Children should never be left alone in a vehicle, not even to run a quick errand. Harrison's Hope offers parents the following tips to help keep their children safe.

• Plan ahead to use drive-through services where available such as pharmacies and banks. More and more services are adding drive-through convenience, including dry cleaners, restaurants (beyond fast food), libraries, grocery stores, and even dog grooming. A quick search on the Internet will help you find convenient drive-through services in your area.
• Call dry cleaners and other businesses to schedule pick-up and drop-off services at your vehicle. Most businesses will bring service curbside if you call ahead.
• Make advance arrangements for your child-care provider to meet you at your vehicle. Alternatively, plan extra time into your pick-up/drop-off routine to bring all children inside with you.
• Use your debit or credit card at the gas pump.
• Ask grocery store clerks to load your bags into your vehicle and return the grocery cart.
• If possible, leave your children with a responsible adult. Arrange a baby-sitting co-op with your neighbor to give you an hour to run errands.

Accidents can happen right in your own garage or driveway. Harrison's Hope offers parents the following tips to help prevent accidents in or around vehicles.

• Keep vehicles locked at all times -- even in the garage or driveway.
• Never leave keys within the reach of children.
• Teach children to never play in or around vehicles.
• Consider installing cross-view mirrors and/or a backup detection device on your vehicle.
• Make sure all young passengers have left your car after it is parked.
• When a child is missing, check vehicles and trunks immediately.

If a child is locked inside a vehicle, get them out as quickly as possible. If they are hot or appear sick, call 911 or your local emergency number. Harrison's Hope is a Missouri-based, national, non-profit organization dedicated to preventing injuries and deaths that occur due to children being left unattended in or around motor vehicles. Harrison's Hope has embarked on a mission to pursue preventative legislation in all 50 states to make sure that no child is ever, not even for a minute, left alone in or around a motor vehicle. For more information on Harrison's Hope, the Zero Seconds Program, to donate or to volunteer please visit www.harrisonshope.org.