http://babesinsleepland.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/logo-new.jpg
Helping the overtired moms and children sleep like a baby!
Find Your Perfect Sleep Success Plan
  • Home
  • About
    • Meet Angela
    • Philosophy and Values
  • Working Together
    • Approach
    • Sleep Success Plans
    • Group Seminars
    • Purchase Here
  • Media
  • Testimonials
  • Products
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Contact

July 6, 2017 by Angela Walsh Leave a Comment

Summer Safety: How to Prevent Children from Accidentally Being Left in Cars

Each summer, when the first heat wave hits, we are reminded of the importance of car safety with babies and toddlers. Yet each year, an average of 37 children in our country die from being left in hot cars, and many others survive near-miss incidents that could have ended tragically as well. These accidental deaths are usually the result of a change in routine or a simple distraction, and with proper preparation, they can be prevented. Here are some tips:

  1. If your infant or toddler attends a school or daycare, ask the daycare to put a policy in place to call all parents when their child is not dropped off by a certain time. Parents agree to alert the school ahead of time for planned absences and right away when a child is home sick.
  2. Place personal items, such as a briefcase or purse, in the backseat at your young child’s feet. This ensures that you will open the back door of the car when you get to work.
  3. Get adequate sleep. Distractions are much more likely when you are tired.
  4. If you are tired, as many new parents are, take a few minutes before leaving the house to organize the steps of your day. This can mean visualizing the things you have to do, including taking your child in and out of the car at the various stops. Making a to-do list also helps. Any tool to make you more mindful of your actions will be helpful.
  5. Set up a text exchange with any partner, grandparent or other caregiver who does drop off and pick up. Each time someone drops off your child, he or she texts the other people in the group.
  6. If there is a change of plans relating to a child’s routine, go through the details numerous times with all adults involved. Follow up afterward.
  7. Install a baby mirror, particularly for rear-facing carseats, that allows you to see your child easily from the driver’s seat.
  8. When you are home on a hot day, keep your car doors locked to prevent a child from playing in a car.
  9. Even if the doors are locked, keep your windows open slightly when the car is parked in your driveway. This allows noise to escape and air to circulate.
  10. Explain to children who are old enough to follow rules that cars are not a place to play. Do not allow children to go into cars on their own.

Lastly, if you see an infant or child in a car alone and cannot find the parent immediately, always take action. Alert authorities and try to enter the vehicle. These accidents, like so many tragic events, can happen to anyone, even the most responsible parents and members of our community. Raising awareness and limiting distraction is key to prevention.

Angela Walsh is a Family Sleep Institute, Certified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant and the founder of Babes in Sleepland. She helps sleep deprived babies, children and families, get back on track and get the sleep they need and desire. To learn more about Angela and how she can help you, visit her website: babesinsleepland.com.  Also get sleep tips, the latest research on baby and child products, and be part of her weekly Q and A at her Facebook page: Babes in Sleepland and follow her on Twitter

Filed Under: Child safety, Children in cars, children left in cars

June 25, 2015 by Angela Walsh Leave a Comment

Kids and Cars-Keeping Our Kids Safe This Summer

 

little boy playing with a teddy bear in the grass

 

Every summer we are saddened by stories in the news about children who are accidentally left in hot parked cars. According to KidsAndCars.org, on average, 38 children die in hot cars each year from heat-related deaths.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/enforce/ChildrenAndCars/pages/Unattend-HotCars.htm reminds parents that it only takes ten minutes for the temperature in a car to go up 20 degrees and rolling down a window or parking in a shaded area, does little to keep the interior of the car cool.

As parents we are constantly dealing with busy schedules that include conducting errands using the car. Even the most diligent parent can say that when life is busy or there is a slight change in their regular schedule, it becomes increasingly easy to forget important details. One of those details may be leaving your child in a hot car. Infants, toddlers and young children who are unable to unlock themselves from their car seats and exit the car on their own are of increased danger. Luckily there are tips and tools that can help parents remember to look before they lock their car doors.

KidsAndCars.org has provided the following tips to help parents remember to check for children in the back seat before leaving their car and prevent children from getting into a hot car on their own.

  • Put something you’ll need like your cell phone, handbag, employee ID or brief case, etc., on the floor board in the back seat.
  • Get in the habit of always opening the back door of your vehicle every time you reach your destination to make sure no child has been left behind.
  • Keep a large stuffed animal in the child’s car seat when it’s not occupied. When the child is placed in the seat, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat. It’s a visual reminder that anytime the stuffed animal is up front you know the child is in the back seat in a child safety seat.
  • Keep vehicles locked at all times; even in the garage or driveway
  • Use drive-thru services when available. (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, etc.)
  • Use your debit or credit card to pay for gas at the pump.

It is important to remember that this can happen to anyone. Be sure to follow these steps this summer with your own children. If you ever see another child locked in a hot car, take action and call 911 and get them out as soon as you can.

Let’s do what we can to keep your little ones safe.

Let me know if you found this article helpful.

Angela Walsh is a Family Sleep Institute, Certified Infant and Child Sleep Consultant and the founder of Babes in Sleepland. She helps sleep deprived babies, children and families, get back on track and get the sleep they need and desire. To learn more about Angela and how she can help you, visit her website: babesinsleepland.com.  Also get sleep tips, the latest research on baby and child products, and be part of her weekly Q and A at her Facebook page: Babes in Sleepland.

Filed Under: Children in cars, children left in cars, How to enjoy the summer, Keeping children safe

July 10, 2014 by Angela Walsh Leave a Comment

Summer Heat and Cars-An Easy Way to Keep Your Child Safe

little boy playing with a teddy bear in the grass

You may have seen some of my posts about children who are left in hot cars, and ways to prevent this terrible tragedy from occurring. There are products you can buy to use in your car, and there is also a very simple way you can remind yourself that your child is in the car with you.

A friend shared this with me and I think it’s a brilliant idea. Simply keep a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat. When you place your child in the seat, take the stuffed animal and put it on your lap in the front seat or right next to you. When you arrive at your destination, the stuffed toy will remind you that your child is in their car seat.

Let’s do everything we can to keep our precious ones safe.

 

Is there something you do to remind yourself? Please share with us.

Filed Under: Children in cars, children left in cars, How can I keep my child safe in the car

Featured On:

healthy-life-logowiox-logoitsyourhealthnetworkNEW LIVING LO-2pp-logo

Meet Angela

My name is Angela Walsh.  I am a Child Sleep Consultant Certified by the Family Sleep Institute, and the founder of Babes in Sleepland.  As the mother of four grown children (three boys and a girl), my mission is to help parents like you enjoy every … (READ MORE)

What Our Families Are Saying

Kate, NY, NY

"After putting Angela’s techniques to use, we had a baby who went from several night wakings to only one waking a night! Angela was a great help, and was sensitive to my beliefs as a...
Babes in Sleepland
2014-02-06T17:16:34+00:00
"After putting Angela’s techniques to use, we had a baby who went from several night wakings to only one waking a night! Angela was a great help, and was sensitive to my beliefs as a parent.  We are so lucky to have worked with her!"
https://babesinsleepland.com/testimonials/1/

Deb, Comox British Columbia

"Angela helped my daughter make the transition to sleeping in her bassinet, and also helped to clarify the basics of baby sleep cycles. Her sleep habits have greatly improved and she is an alert and...
Babes in Sleepland
2014-02-06T17:16:59+00:00
"Angela helped my daughter make the transition to sleeping in her bassinet, and also helped to clarify the basics of baby sleep cycles. Her sleep habits have greatly improved and she is an alert and happy baby. I am so grateful for Angela’s help and would recommend her services to anyone who has questions or problems around their baby’s sleep."
https://babesinsleepland.com/testimonials/2/

Viney, Ny,Ny

"Angela was so helpful to me in my early attempts to sleep train my daughter; she was quick to respond, reassuring, empathetic and incredibly patient! Since I was dealing with my own sleep deprivation, I...
Babes in Sleepland
2014-02-06T17:17:52+00:00
"Angela was so helpful to me in my early attempts to sleep train my daughter; she was quick to respond, reassuring, empathetic and incredibly patient! Since I was dealing with my own sleep deprivation, I appreciated that she always sent me a recap of our conversations in an email after we spoke."
https://babesinsleepland.com/testimonials/3/

Brenda, Milwaukee, WI

"Working with Angela from Babes in Sleepland, our daughter Violet has gotten so much better in just a week’s time.  She’s been so full of smiles and I feel liberated.  Now we can fall head-over-heels...
Babes in Sleepland
2014-02-06T17:18:02+00:00
Testimonials
"Working with Angela from Babes in Sleepland, our daughter Violet has gotten so much better in just a week’s time.  She’s been so full of smiles and I feel liberated.  Now we can fall head-over-heels in love with her. When you are sleep-deprived, it’s hard to be truly happy to see your child in the morning when you have been hanging out with them all night!  Angela, thank you for your support during all these changes. Your business certainly fills a gap that sleep-deprived moms, dads, babies and families need.  With your training and expertise, you are able to take care of moms to get them and the whole family sleeping."
https://babesinsleepland.com/testimonials/4/

Brandi, Rye, NY

"I didn’t think anyone could help, but then I called Angela.  She was great!  After working with her, my son can now self-soothe, doesn’t eat at all throughout the night, and sleeps so much better!!...
Babes in Sleepland
2014-02-06T17:18:13+00:00
"I didn’t think anyone could help, but then I called Angela.  She was great!  After working with her, my son can now self-soothe, doesn’t eat at all throughout the night, and sleeps so much better!!  AMAZING!  Angela was so helpful and it was so great to be able to contact her with the smallest question or concern."
https://babesinsleepland.com/testimonials/5/

Cynthia, Old Greenwich, CT

"What I also found so appealing about Angela, is that she respected me as a mother. Her guidance kept me empowered. And she has the sweetest most soothing voice!"
Babes in Sleepland
2017-05-03T13:51:05+00:00
"What I also found so appealing about Angela, is that she respected me as a mother. Her guidance kept me empowered. And she has the sweetest most soothing voice!"
https://babesinsleepland.com/testimonials/cynthia-old-greenwich-ct/
0
0
Babes in Sleepland

Featured On

healthy-life-logo
wiox-logo
itsyourhealthnetwork
NEW LIVING LO-2
pp-logo

DOWNLOAD A MEDIA KIT

fsi_logo-cert-latest
iacsc-member

© 2023 Babes in Sleepland • Disclaimer • Site Design Graphic Design By Emily