Another Memphis Mom left her child in a scalding hot car this week. I do not know whether she forgot or was simply negligent (it is my place to be proactive not to judge). I can honestly say, I don’t think any of my moms (or dads) would intentionally leave a child in the Memphis heat.

Here are some ideas to prevent such tragedies for your family. Let me know if anyone has any other ideas.

1. Leave your purse or some other necessary item in your back seat with your child as a reminder.

2. If your trip is to return some item, then put that item in the back seat with your child as a reminder.

 3. When your child is in the back seat, keep a small stuffed animal on your dashboard as a reminder.

4. Put a picture of your child between the driver’s side window molding and the window glass as a reminder.

5. Leave your mobile phone in the back seat as a reminder.

6. Set your computer or mobile phone to ask “Did you drop off at daycare today?”

7. Consider purchasing devices like The Child Minder http://www.babyalert.info/ or The Child Presence Sensor http://www.nasa.gov/centers/langley/news/releases/2002/02-008.html Please pass this on to any friend who has small children.

 Dr. Tam