Don’t leave kids in hot cars— that is the message from police as summer temperatures kick into gear.
Texas leads the nation in child hot car deaths, and with temperatures getting hotter each and every day, police are reminding everyone to check their back seats before leaving the car.
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Garland Police Lt. Pedro Barineau says you can actually be ticketed for leaving kids under seven years old unattended in a car, even if they aren’t harmed. If they get hurt or die, you can get hit with heftier charges … including manslaughter.
"The charges are there," Lt. Barineau says, "But at the same time, I think the biggest thing when it comes to child safety is the emotional impact. We have children and we want to raise them right. We want to take care of them."
With work and phones and a changing summer schedule, Lt. Barineau says it makes sense that parents get distracted. Parents who aren't usually responsible for dropping their kids off at daycare suddenly are, etc., and that's when dangerous mistakes can be made.
"Set yourself up to remind yourself to look in your backseat," Lt. Barineau says. "Whether that be putting your laptop or your cellphone back there. You leave your car, you're going to come back for your cell phone. God forbid if you forgot your child-- you would remember at that point in time."
Lt. Barineau says anyone who sees an unattended child in a car needs to call 911 immediately. On an 80 degree day, it only takes 10 to 20 minutes for cars to reach life-threatening temperatures.
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