The Austin Police Department would like to remind parents, caretakers, siblings, and anyone else that transports children, elderly persons or pets of several safety tips during the hot summer months. When it is 90 degrees outside the temperature in the interior of an enclosed car can climb 20-30 degrees within 10 minutes.
- Never leave a child, elderly person or an animal in a hot car, even briefly.
- Don’t leave sleeping infants in the car–ever.
- Always check the front and back seats of your car before you lock it and leave.
- See a child, elderly person, or animal (pet) alone in a hot car? Call 911 immediately. Get them out ASAP if they are in distress.
- Put your purse, wallet, cellular phone, briefcase or something else you need by the car seat so you don’t forget to check.
- Put your diaper bag in the front seat of the car so you’ll see it and remember the baby in the back seat.
- Always make sure all children have left the car when you reach your destination.
- Always lock your car when it’s empty so children can’t get in without you knowing.
- Make arrangements with your child’s day care center or babysitter that you will always call if your child will not be there on a particular day as scheduled.
- Be especially careful about keeping children safe in and around cars during busy times, schedule changes and periods of crisis or holidays.
- Use drive‐through services when available (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, etc.).
- Use your debit or credit card to pay for gas at the pump.
