Preventing car theft with kids inside

JACKSON, Tenn. — Kids and Car Safety, a national nonprofit organization, is dedicated to saving the lives of children in and around motor vehicles.

According to information the organization shared on Wednesday, April 24,  A father in Memphis left his 1-year-old daughter in the car.

Moments later, the car was stolen while the child inside.

Thankfully, the car was found an hour later and the child was safe.

A local resident, Tina Robinson, said that we should never think it’s okay to leave a child unattended.

“Take them in the store with you. You will be glad that you did. That’s a much safer thing to do than leave them in the car alone,” said Robinson.

She even said that she understands the pressure some parents deal with that cause them to forget.

“Put something on the backseat that will spark your memory. Your lunchbox, your cellphone. Something that’s going to make you turn around and look back on that backseat to open that door so you will see your child there,” Robinson.

Public Information Officer for the Jackson Madison County Regional Health Department, Ginger Rowsey talked with us and gave her insight.

“We want to be sure that we are not leaving kids in the car at any time but particularly as it’s getting hot outside,” said Rowsey.

She said the temperature in a car rises almost 20 degrees after a car has been turned off for 10 minutes.

She said be sure that when you leave the car, that every one who was in it left as well.

“Don’t overlook any children that may have fallen asleep in the car. Also, if your car is in the driveway, keep it locked if you have young children,”  said Rowsey.

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