When you think of hot cars, do you think of the need for speed or the latest and greatest in technology?  While there are many connotations to hot cars, unfortunately, there are some that are not positive. Many individuals still practice unsafe conditions during summer with their vehicles, and the people and pets within them. And even more unfortunate, statistics show that the number of fatalities for children left in hot cars is increasing through the years.
There are a couple of scenarios that occur causing these tragic events. Understanding them a little better may help boost preventative measures.
Forgetting a child in the car – The first thought that will more than likely come to mind is that it can’t happen to you. The thought of forgetting that your child is in your vehicle is unthinkable, but it does, unfortunately, happen. It is not unheard of for a parent to forget their child in their vehicle. Perhaps a parent who doesn’t typically drop off for daycare may have a child quietly sleeping in the back seat and, unfortunately, forget them.
Day care workers have also made the unfortunate and fatal mistake of leaving a child in a car seat in a closed vehicle.
Neglect – As sad as it is to say, sometimes neglect is involved. People leave children in hot vehicles due to neglect and the end result is tragic.
Convenience – Sometimes for the sake of convenience a caregiver or parent may leave a child unattended in a vehicle because their thought is that the “will only be a minute.” That’s all it takes sometimes because rather than being distracted by a youngster who is crying, active and engaged or even misbehaving in a store, there is a higher risk of forgetting.
Child’s Play –  Children have always and continue to view the car as a fun place to play or a great place to hide.
Year after year, this is a topic of awareness and it cannot be emphasized enough to take proper precautions to safeguard your child while in your vehicle.
Preventative Tips for Kids and Cars

• We live in a world with not enough time and not enough sleep, but fortunately there is an app or technological tool to remind you of everything. If it’s not your turn to drive to daycare, set a reminder on your phone. As foolish as it sounds, it might just save your child’s life. Set a reminder for 5 minutes after the time that your child begins preschool. If your child begins at 9:00 a.m., then set your reminder at 9:05. It’s better to take a minute to put something on your calendar than to forget.
• Set up a routine. If dropping off your child is one of your daily obligations, try to stick to a routine. Rather than switch on and off with the dropping off duties, leave it as one parent’s responsibility. There is less chance of forgetting or confusion this way.
• Believe it or not, how you organize, manage your time and sleep has a lot to do with your morning routine. Do your best to let the little stuff go, organize your day, evening and work life, as well as set your morning routine in action. The more organized you stay, the less chance of you forgetting there will be.
• If you do switch drop-off duty, make certain that your spouse or a friend or co-worker is your accountability partner. Text someone or call them and ask them to set a reminder to check in on you in the morning that you are responsible for dropping off your child. An accountability partner can call you at drop-off time to keep you in check.
• Sometimes kids like to play in your car; take responsibility for your keys and keep them out of the way and out of reach.
• While it’s tempting to let a sleeping child alone after falling asleep in the car (especially after not having slept all day) don’t do it. Many children will successfully transfer from car to crib without waking.
• Leave your briefcase of purse in the backseat. You will need that to get to work. Heaven forbid you forget the drop off, when you reach work and go to retrieve your items, you will see your baby sleeping in the car seat.
• Plan errands around awake time for your child. If you know it is at or near nap time, don’t go out. Wait until your child is done napping, well-fed and ready to accompany you on your errands.

While it is important to do as much as you can prior to the heat of the summer to protect your child from such a tragic incident, please also keep in mind that the elderly are impacted by being left in your hot vehicle, as well as your pets.
In addition, remember to get your car maintenance in order. If you need coolants or if your air conditioning unit is not working properly, make certain to get your vehicle up and running for you and your family this summer. There are many safety issues when dealing with summer from sunburn to poison ivy; don’t make hot cars one of them.