MELROSE (WBZ-AM) -- After he responded to an emergency call for a child that was accidentally left in a hot car, Melrose Police Chief Michael Lyle is reminding the public of a few important safety tips.
Chief Lyle was the first officer on the scene Thursday at the Mount Hood Golf Course Playground, after a nanny called to say she accidentally locked a toddler in a vehicle. The child was freed within a minute of police response, and was fine.
"The story ended well in this case, and the officers, firefighters and tow operator did an outstanding job, but today showed just how quickly conditions change inside a vehicle," Chief Lyle said in a release. "I know accidents happen, but I hope all residents will read and appreciate these important safety tips and never intentionally leave a child or a pet inside a hot car."
Joe Wysenfelder, Executive Editor of Cars.com, says this time of year, you really have to remember when there are kids in the car.
"A child's body temperature can raise as much as five times faster than an adult's," he said.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 42 children died from vehicular heat strokes last year. Most of the deaths occur when a parent or caregiver forgets a child is in the car.
"Parents of young children, infants, tend to be sleep-deprived, and that's how this kind of thing happens," Wysenfelder said. "It's really best never to leave your kid in the car."
Chief Lyle offered the following tips:
- Check your vehicle's back seats before locking it and leaving
- Use a stuffed animal or other item as a tool to remember when your child is in the car. Put it in the back seat, and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the car
- Always check that your child arrived safely if someone else is driving them
- Instruct day care providers to contact you if your child doesn't arrive
- Take action right away if you see a child left in a car and suffering from the heat--even if it means breaking a window
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports