With summer in full swing and school schedules shifting to day camps, it’s a time of year filled with excitement and change. But for parents and caregivers, this seasonal transition can come with hidden dangers — and one of the most heartbreaking is the risk of unintentionally leaving a child in a parked car.
Rachmana L’tzlon — may Hashem protect us — a moment’s distraction or a small break in routine can lead to unthinkable tragedy.
A Deadly Shift in Routine
Many parents who are not typically responsible for daycare drop-off during the year now find themselves taking children to camp. This change in schedule can disrupt autopilot behavior. In many tragic cases, a parent who is used to driving straight to work without a child in the car forgets that their little one is in the backseat, sleeping or quietly playing, especially if the child is rear-facing and out of view.
It takes only minutes for a car to become a death trap. Even in weather as mild as 70 degrees, internal car temperatures can soar to dangerous levels. On a sunny day, a parked car’s interior can reach over 100 degrees within just 20 minutes — a level that can prove fatal for young children whose bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults.
It’s Not Negligence — It’s Human
This isn’t about irresponsible parenting. This is about being human. Scientific studies have shown that memory can be shockingly fragile, especially under stress, distraction, or a change in pattern. Multitasking, sleep deprivation, and packed daily schedules only make it worse.
That’s why it’s not enough to rely on our good intentions — we must actively put safeguards in place.
Tips to Keep Our Children Safe
- Always check the back seat – Make it a rule: “Look before you lock.” Even if you don’t think your child is with you, always open the back door.
- Place reminders – Put your phone, wallet, or even your left shoe in the back seat to force a habit of checking before leaving the car.
- Use visual cues – Hang a diaper bag or child’s item in the front passenger seat when your child is in the car.
- Communicate with caregivers – Establish a routine where the daycare or camp calls if your child doesn’t arrive as expected.
- Use car seat alarms or apps – Many devices and vehicle systems now offer back seat reminders. Use them.
Spread Awareness — Save a Life
These tragedies are 100% preventable, but only if we speak about them openly and take precautions. As the summer begins and schedules change, this is the time to stay vigilant. Let’s help each other remember: no errand, no phone call, no distraction is worth risking a life.
May we never know of such sorrow, and may all our children be protected and safe — in and out of the car.
CleverElly is a great child-in-car reminder device. It has different alerts each time you turn the car off so you don’t get used to hearing the same message every time.
Not expensive and works in every car.
https://cleverelly.com/products/ce-s4-clever-elly-a-life-saving-reminder-compatible-with-all-cars
#2 place reminders in your backseat? Shouldn’t you child be more important than a cell phone or shoe? This is so sad, slow down love your babies they are gifts from G-d
Of course they are. Even the parents who RL forget their babies in cars love them very very much! The point is that even the most caring loving parents can forget if there is a change in routine.
I used a device that I purchased on Amazon last summer. It was similar to clever elly, but with more pieces. This summer I purchased the clever elly device in Refuah Pharmacy and its been so reassuring to know it is there. Please go out and buy it. Its $20 and plugs straight into the cigarette lighter, which is generally not used anyway. It has 12 different reminders so that you don’t ignore it
just noticed in bingo of monsey that every ten minutes an alarm goes off for 2 seconds thats catches your attention (think fire alarm) and then in yiddish and english there is a recorded message/warning about leaving a child in a car. all stores should do it