Archives

Police offer continuing child safety tips

By Brenda Poe - Features Editor

12/23/02 The Lompoc Police Department is continuing its "Lompoc Occupant Safety Project" campaign, designed to encourage motorists and vehicle occupants to buckle their seat belts and properly secure children in their car seats.

"This message implores citizens to never leave a child alone in or around vehicles, not even for a second," said Lompoc Police Sgt. Mike Collins.

There are many parents, responsible and irresponsible, that have left their children alone in or around their vehicles. There are great risks that many don't think about when leaving a child alone in a vehicle ... a quick drop to the dry cleaners, a short run into the bank, a letter that has to be mailed off ... these short errands could be deadly to your child if left alone in a vehicle.

Those problems could range from your child being abducted, the child setting the car in motion, the child leaving the car to look for parents, temperatures inside the car may rise to deadly levels within minutes, or drivers running over children when they backup.

"Remember a car is not a baby-sitter," said Motor Officer Eric Andreasen.

Some safety tips include:

¥ Children should never be left alone in a vehicle, not even for a second, not even to run a quick errand.

¥ Keep vehicles locked at all times; even in the garage or driveway.

¥ Teach your child never to play in or around a vehicle.

¥ Always make sure that all child passengers have left the car after it is parked.

¥ If a child is discovered alone inside a car, get him or her out as quickly as possible. If the child is very hot or seems sick, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

¥ When a child is missing, check vehicles and car trunks right away.

"Kaitlyn's Law says that any parent, legal guardian or other person responsible for a child who is 6 years or younger may not leave that child inside a motor vehicle without being subject to the supervision of a person who is 12 years or older," said Andreasen. "That is under where there are conditions that presents a significant risk to the child's health or safety, or when the vehicles engine is running or the keys are in the ignition or both."

The fine for doing so is $100.

In another phase of the program, the department has established a phone number dedicated to answering questions associated with child passenger safety seats.

"Citizens from the Lompoc area can now call this hotline and receive information regarding recalled child safety seats, correct usage, low or no cost car seat training and availability, and other technical questions," said Collins.

The number is 875-8130.

Features Editor Brenda Poe can be reached at (805) 736-2313, Ext. 108, or by e-mail at lrlifestyles@pulitzer.net