Reminder about Infants in Hot Cars - Stonecrest Target (how much, home)

[diertac]

Something happened several days ago that really struck me, and I feel compelled to post this as a reminder here, especially after reading the post about the dog at the DMV.

If you are responsible for any living being, human or animal, remind yourself every day that it's hot out there and don't leave them behind in your car. Being compulsive about this is better than being complacent about it!

I was at the Stonecrest Target recently on a blisteringly hot Saturday afternoon, shopping. As I was about to leave, I spotted a woman casually chatting with another woman by the registers. They both had their purchases in bags, and had clearly checked out already. Suddenly, Woman 1 freaked out and bolted out the door. I walked out at a much slower pace behind her, to my car.

Upon arriving at my car I saw what her freakout was about: She was holding her infant, that she had left in the back seat of her car while she shopped, crying with relief. Her red-faced infant was bawling.

As I got in my car it hit me: We hear stories every year of the babies who die because their parents left them in the car by accident. But how many stories like this, do we not hear every year, because the mother and child were lucky? How many other near misses are there that we aren't aware of?

This woman had two large Target bags in her hands, as she casually chatted with her friend in the Target cash register area. She didn't just pop in and pop out for one or two things, she had been there for awhile.

And believe me, this woman was just like me, or you. In fact, she looked more "put together" than I ever do, with her pretty clothes and nice SUV. It reminded me that we are quick to castigate those whose children die due to this sort of event everyday, and while I will always get incredibly angry about these events, I was struck by how human this woman was - how much like any of us she was. She looked like the sort of person who would post angrily after reading about another death herself. I'm sure she beat herself up emotionally over what happened, and probably continues to do so to this day.

So remember folks - if you're responsible for a living creature of any sort that you take in a car with you somewhere - don't leave them behind. Think three or four times about it - to the point of making it a compulsive habit if you have to. If the number of fatalities you read on the news angers you and bothers you, think about the number of near-misses you never read about. It could happen to any of us. I'm serious, being compulsive about this beats being complacent about it.

Thanks for letting me go off about this for a few moments.

[MommyV]

What's more shocking is that other people probably saw the child in the car alone and did nothing. That parking lot is always jammed with people coming and going.

Thanks for sharing... and maybe increasing our awareness at the same time.

[KennysMom]

It can't be said enough times. I just don't even get it. How could anyone leave their child or animal in a car by themselves in a parking lot or anywhere else regardless of the weather. I hear these stories and it makes me want to scream! I guess some people have to learn the hard way to appreciate the gifts and miracles that have been placed in our trust.

[Hoagie58]

Originally Posted by MommyV

What's more shocking is that other people probably saw the child in the car alone and did nothing. That parking lot is always jammed with people coming and going.

Thanks for sharing... and maybe increasing our awareness at the same time.

I would suspect that an infant in an SUV was probably not seen by too many people. Sure, there are people who see things and shrug them off, but a baby in a hot car is something I think nealry everyone would have said something about.

[MommyV]

Originally Posted by Hoagie58

I would suspect that an infant in an SUV was probably not seen by too many people. Sure, there are people who see things and shrug them off, but a baby in a hot car is something I think nealry everyone would have said something about.

I hope you're right.

[Hoagie58]

Originally Posted by MommyV

I hope you're right.

Me too!!!!

[GirlTravels]

First, that is a good and scary reminder to us all to always check our cars and pay attention to what we are doing at each moment

This may sound crazy but I kind of feel badly for that woman. It sounds like she forgot that her (probably sleeping) infant was in the car. I don't know how old the infant was, but sleep deprivation of being a new mom can really mess with your mind. I know I would be devastated if I realized I left my infants in the car. Hopefully that will never happen.

[diertac]

GirlTravels, you hit home on the point I meant to make really well. We are all very quick to judge, and I think that if there is something that should be judged, this is it.

But seeing this play out in the car right next to me, knowing that it could and does happen to just about anybody, I want to caution even those who are judging this and other people who do this. Seeing this happen in right next to my car... the immediacy of the possibility struck me. Don't think it can't happen to you, because it can. I have no doubt this woman would have said these same things, "I just don't get it", etc. herself.

That's why I make the point - no matter how you feel about others doing it and how angry and furious you are about it - remind yourself constantly about this. Because if it can happen to Lexus lady next to me at Stonecrest, it can happen to any of us...

[NCyank]

Along with the horrible possibility of death, the child could also have been kidnapped. I hope she was smart enough to seek medical treatment for the infant.

Originally Posted by Hoagie58

I would suspect that an infant in an SUV was probably not seen by too many people. Sure, there are people who see things and shrug them off, but a baby in a hot car is something I think nealry everyone would have said something about.

Yeah, I think so too.

However, I probably wouldn't have bothered to 'say' much about it at all if I had seen it....well, maybe after finding the nearest heavy object and smashing out a window of the car. Really, would you even bother to go inside the store or call/wait for help??

[GirlTravels]

Originally Posted by NCyank

Really, would you even bother to go inside the store or call/wait for help??

um, yeah. I think that situation is what 911 is for!

Though I like your rock through the window idea too.