This morning as I was answering my e-mail and surfing the web,
I came across something that I, at first glance, didn't understand.
It was one of those small,quick polls a lot of sites have.
The topic caused confusion in me and this is why.
The poll asked, "Do you believe it is OK to leave a
child alone in a locked car for a few minutes?"
The question is simple enough. The reason for my confusion is that I didn't
think anyone would answer "yes" which I thought would make the poll
completely one sided. However I am sad to admit I was wrong.
More than wrong, I was astounded. Forty-two per cent said "yes"!
What this means is approximately 42 out of every 100 adults who answered
the poll are leaving their children in a car alone.
For only a second, maybe.
A locked car, probably.
Running, hopefully not.
But should this be done? Absolutely not!
Younger children are much more sensitive to heat stroke than older children
or adults. The temperature in your car can reach up to 130-172 degrees Fahrenheit
( 54 to 78 degrees Celsius ) in just 20 minutes, even with a window rolled down,
when outside temperatures 80 to 100F ( 27 to 38 C).
Temperature increases inside cars usually occur during the first 15 minutes of being parked.
Unattended children have been abducted out of cars for years.
Out of driveways, out of parking lots, always when they are alone.
Even in small towns.
It's a scary fact to admit but one that happens far too often to ignore.
What happens if your "quick trip" takes more than a minute?
Will your child get scared? Maybe get out of the car and try and look for you?
It takes less than one minute for a child to be taken. Less than one minute for the car to roll into
another. Or, for the scared child to leave the car and wander into traffic.
Do we, as parents, think that saving an extra 10 minutes out of our day by leaving our children in the car,
will really make our life easier?
Do we think our kids are old enough to know not to touch the controls?
It only takes one try for a curious child to get hurt.
Do we think we are different from those who might leave their children for long periods of time or
even forget they are there?
"We are good parents."
"I always watch them from the window."
"I never let the car out of my sight."
Not good enough I say.
We all cry when we hear about the children that die while being in a hot car, alone.
We cry for the babies that are left for a second but were gone when their parent returned.
We cry for the loss of these beautiful children and we all say it'd never be me doing that.
But then you're running late, you're tired and the baby is asleep when you get to the store
and you say, "I'll only be a sec." And it is YOU!
If we watch our purses like they hold treasure, shouldn't we keep a firm hold on our real treasures?
If we are careful not to forget our briefcases and files, shouldn't we be especially careful
to remember our children buckled in the backseat?
What person would leave $1000.00 cash in plain view in his car?
No one!
But we would leave our children???
Why does this still make sense to some people?
Why are you still voting "yes"?
The next time you are about to say, "Stay in your car seats. I'll only be a minute,"
think about the loss of someone's precious child and know they would give anything to have
to deal with the hectic, tiring chore of taking their child into a store just one more time.
Lady Hope
