By Chaverim of Crown Heights
Did you know that in Crown Heights alone over the past six months, Chaverim has responded to 3 calls for children accidentally locked inside cars? Thankfully, all of those incidents had happy outcomes. Unfortunately, there has recently been a horrific outcome in Lakewood N.J. after a child was tragically left in a locked car, unattended. Throughout the United States, there’s an average of 36 deaths yearly from these situations. So far in 2019, there are 11 related deaths reported.
This summer, as a community service, Crown Heights Chaverim will be providing unique cards that easily hang from your rear-view mirror to serve as a constant reminder. Chaverim volunteers will be handing out these cards throughout Crown Heights, and they will also be available at the following stores: Empire Kosher, Hamafitz, and Crown Heights Urgent Care.
As part of the new initiative being launched, Chaverim is posting the following tips that can be helpful to prevent these tragedies.
1. Always “LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK.” Get in the habit of checking the backseat every time you get out of the car.
2. The Waze app has a feature which reminds you to check for children after arriving at a destination. Enabling this feature only takes a minute and may save your child’s life.
3. Be extra alert if there are any changes to your routine. That’s when the risk of unintentionally leaving your child in your car increases.
4. Leave an item you’ll need at your next destination in the backseat, such as your cell phone, purse, or laptop.
5. Discuss the topic of hot-car deaths with every person who drives your child anywhere. This should include parents, grandparents, babysitters, friends and even bus drivers.
Crown heights Chaverim can be reached 24/6 at 718-222-1800.
