Clalit Experts Advise Simple Habits to Prevent Child Lock-In During Summer Heat

Locking children inside a closed car is a serious danger, especially during summer months when temperatures inside vehicles can rise rapidly. Clalit Health Services experts emphasize the importance of never leaving a child unattended in a car, even for a moment. Yael Reichental, head of the Health Education and Promotion Department at Clalit in the Dan-Petach Tikva district, advises parents to always take their children with them whenever exiting the vehicle, as even brief tasks can unexpectedly extend and distract attention.

Reichental highlights that stress and haste negatively affect memory, recommending parents slow down, act mindfully, and leave home a few minutes earlier to reduce pressure. Engaging multiple senses, looking at, touching, hearing, and moving children before leaving the car, helps reinforce memory. She also warns that mobile phone use can distract caregivers and reduce focus on child safety.

A key habit is performing a quick scan of the car before leaving, checking the back seat to ensure no child is left behind. Avoiding automatic, routine actions helps prevent oversight. Reichental suggests establishing a routine of removing the child from the car before gathering bags or other items. Speaking aloud phrases like “the child is with me” can serve as memory cues. Even when stepping away briefly, telling the child verbally that you will return immediately is important.

Clalit recommends adopting a simple mnemonic for every car exit: "T.M.V.N.H" (Hebrew acronym for baby, keys, verification, phone, and a final glance inside the car). Taking a few seconds to stop, check, and confirm the child is with you can save lives. Reichental concludes, “A picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, a few seconds of attention and checking can be worth much more.”