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There is no safe way to leave a child unattended in a car - even for one minute.
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WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU LEFT YOUR CHILD ALONE IN A CAR?
We hope never, but if you did, please promise to never do it again. Every year approximately 30 children die after they were unknowingly left in a vehicle when the adult went about their business. Make it a point to NEVER LEAVE YOUR CHILD ALONE in a car. The same goes for your pet. They're a member of the family, too. Follow these tips to be sure it does not happen to you.
- Dial 911 immediately if you see an unattended child in a car. EMS professionals are trained to determine if a child is in trouble.
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Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle, even with the window slightly open.
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Place a cell phone, PDA, purse, briefcase, gym bag or whatever is to be carried from the car on the floor in front of a child in a backseat. This forces the adult to open the back door and observe the child when they reach for their belongings.
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Set your cell phone or Blackberry reminder to be sure you dropped your child off at day care.
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Set your computer “outlook” program to ask, “Did you drop off at daycare today?”
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Have a plan that if your child is late for daycare that you will be called within a few minutes. Be especially careful if you change your routine for dropping off little kids at day care.
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Teach children not to play in any vehicle.
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Lock all vehicle doors and trunk – especially at home. Cars are not playgrounds.
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Check vehicles and trunks FIRST if a child goes missing.
... And remember your pet's safety. They're part of the family, too.
Top 10 Tips to Keep Your Pets Safe This Summer
The Humane Society of the United States
Memorial Day weekend signals the unofficial start of summer, and that means it's time to start thinking about how the warm weather will impact pets. Whether you and your pets are taking a walk, a drive or just hanging out in the backyard, there are extra precautions that you can take to keep everyone happy and safe:
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Never leave your pet unattended in the car on a warm or sunny day. Cars quickly heat up to a dangerous temperature, even with the window slightly open.
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Be sure to keep your pets up-to-date on their vaccinations and preventative medications. Fleas and ticks stay busy in warm weather and summer is also the prime time for heartworms. Check with your veterinarian about the best way to keep your pets healthy.
- Keep your cats indoors to keep them safe. Cars, other pets and wild animals can all pose risks to your cats' safety. By providing playtime, cat trees and other enrichment, your cat will be happy and content to stay indoors with you.
- Beware of cocoa mulch and other gardening products. Cocoa mulch can be deadly if ingested and has an appetizing scent to some animals. Pesticides, fertilizers and other harsh chemicals can also be quickly fatal if ingested.
- When taking your dog for a walk on a hot day, plan for shorter walks midday, when temperatures peak, and longer walks in the morning and evening when it's cooler. Hot sidewalks can burn the pads on your dog's paws, so walk on the grass when possible.
- If you have pet rabbits, be sure to keep them indoors because they don't tolerate heat well. Keeping a rabbit indoors will also provide protection from predators who might try to attack a rabbit in an outdoor hutch.
- Never leave your dog outdoors unattended on a chain or tether. Long-term chaining during the hot summer months can result in countless insect bites, dehydration and heat stroke. Even short-term unattended tethering can pose risks such as theft or attacks by people or animals.
- When driving with pets, be sure to keep them properly restrained and inside the vehicle. Special seatbelts and secured carriers can protect pets during accidents and prevent them from distracting the driver. The back of a pick-up truck is never a safe place for a pet to ride.
- Be mindful of your pets around your wild neighbors. When going for walks or playing in a fenced yard, don't allow pets to harass birds, rabbits, squirrels or other wild animals.
- The summer months are the peak season for dog bites because so many kids and dogs are playing outside. You can reduce the risk of your dog biting through training, socialization and getting your dog spayed or neutered. Kids can learn to stay safe through good manners around pets and humane education.
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