Safe Errands {Thrive @ Home Thursday}

I always thought it was silly.

I mean, how could someone forget their child in a car? It had to be a lie. A mom who didn’t want to take baby in for a quick errand. A Dad who thought the kids would be fine with a window cracked.  Negligent parents, of course.

Well…

I pull in the driveway. The car is blissfully quiet. The drive home from a late evening grocery run in Hubby’s newer car.  It felt like a vacation. I open the door. Gather my bag from the passenger seat. Close my door. Start for the house.

Something doesn’t seem quite right.

I stop.

Think.

Look around.

Remember.

The BABY!

I open the back door and pull the infant carrier out – baby sleeping peacefully inside.

Just mere moments that shook me to the core.

Now, how did I forget about my child?

All day I had been anticipating this grocery trip without children. A few minutes to myself. The Hubs was to watch the boys. At the last moment, I decided to take Scrunch – the baby at the time. He was very fussy and would have been a nightmare for the Hubs. I could simply wear him and nurse him and he’d be happy.

Add in the sleep deprivation, the different car, the change in routine without both boys, the last minute decision to take the baby, and the quiet car. A recipe for trouble. I may have gotten a phone call as I was getting out of the car adding to the distraction – I really can’t remember.  I do know it was a summer evening.

I see how these horrific accidents can happen. A simple change in routine could be enough of a distraction.

Let’s keep our little ones safe. Let’s do whatever it takes. My solution has been simple. I changed where I keep my bag. No longer do I keep it on the front seat. I place it behind the driver’s seat. That way, I need to open the back door to get my bag. I have to see the carseats. I am instantly reminded to look and see who is with me.  I always double check those rear facing seats – it’s harder to see a sleeping babe in one – especially from the front seat (and if the mirror angle is off).

Safe Kids has more tips on how to prevent leaving our kids in our cars as well as many other great safety tips.  With this hot summer many of us are experiencing, we need to be extra diligent!

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