This brand which is specifically for children has pretty good reviews. I am thinking of getting one of these for my grandson and his wife, they have the new baby girl and a little boy a too. Good gift to get for new baby.

Well I have to edit this because some one gave a wrong answer. Apparently this one you can't set up to alarm you automatically when you are separated by a specific distance. You have to press the button and the alarm on the child sounds so you can find them. A good device apparently but not for this use.

Bear design

Gadgets to make people not do stupid things? Unnecessary if people take a little responsibility and no I don't accept all the excuses that she's so busy with meetings, and spilling her coffee and whatever. I say people should stop making excuses for peoples' stupidity.

Solution? Simply form a habit. I always look back at my vehicle and check for lights being left on. Another is I always look back to make sure the garage door is closed when I leave. Someone with a kid can EASILY form a habit to look in the back seat (and on the floor) before closing the car door. Once you set a habit, you get very nervous if you change that habit. I've had to turn around more than once to check the garage door because it's so ingrained that I have to check it. Other examples? Smoking. Stop smoking and you get nervous from the habit. Always checking that a house door is locked? Many people can't sleep if they don't remember it. Even something like putting on shoes and socks in a particular order, try changing the routine sometime and see what happens. And so on and so on.

It's amazing what habits do to (and FOR) people. And then people don't have to make excuses for them.

Well, Cynic, I do agree about setting habits--in fact, I mentioned that the habit of picking up the alarm receiver was probably more important than the device--but what happens on that day someone slips up? Cut the coffee and project and other distractions. What happens after a sleepness night with a colicky baby and a teething toddler? And the toddler is running a fever so daycare won't take him. Grandma isn't available but you have a friend on the way to work who takes teething with equanimity? But you're so tired you home right to work and to your assigned space, but the car has soothed the toddler and he's fast asleep, and you dazedly head on in to the office. One thing about car seats is that they're so unbelievably safe, when installed correctly, that a buckled in baby gives some respite from constant worry about the location and safety of a child. Should you be driving that tired? Probably not, though there are some tests that show that drivers on autopilot are pretty safe so long as their eyes are open and scanning the road.

People aren't perfect. A forgotten child, even safe, is devastating. Losing a child is life shattering. A gadget that can help people battle their human imperfections and help them keep their children safe? How can that be a bad thing?

Here's another one (sorry, the linkmaker doesn't work with my browser). I think this is something that is better gotten from the electronics aisle. The cheap kiddie style ones seem to be dollar store dreck. Look under "separation alarm" or sometimes "proximity" (though usually a proximity alarm sounds when something gets close, rather than far).
http://www.amazon.com/Security-wireless-separation-sensor-alarm/dp/B000J5IG7U/ref=sr_1_5?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1436675485&sr=1-5&keywords=separation+alarm

I could never carry a pregnancy to term, so it has been a moot issue, but...

My car doesn't use a key. As long as the fob is in my purse or pocket, the car doors will unlock and the engine will start. So a do-hickey on a keychain wouldn't work.

My phone connects to my car via Bluetooth, so the phone stays in my purse and I always put my purse either on the back seat, or on the floor of the back seat, just behind my (the driver's) seat.

And I always drive barefoot. Well, 99% of the time, anyway. But I don't put my shoes in the back seat area, because I don't want to step out of the car without them on. It is too difficult for me to twist around to pick up shoes from the floor of the back seat.

Because I have not had the responsibility of a child in the car without the child's parent also being in the car, it would be ridiculous for me to judge a parent for forgetting their child. (I haven't walked a mile - or any distance - in their shoes.)

Oh, Cynic. What a foolish comment to make. You can have a daily habit and then one day mess it up. I have made coffee in the morning thousands of times, and last week neglected to put the water in the coffee pot. There are people like you who never, ever make mistakes, but for most of us, every once in a while, something goes wrong. Getting back to the reminder devices, it has to be something passive, something that doesn't require you to set it up, like the bell that goes off when you forget to put on your seat belt.

One day you mess up? Next time you fly somewhere, will you have that attitude for the pilot of the plane - it's ok if he messes up? I don't thing so, there are some things about which everyone should be clear, there's zero tolerance for failure and no way to recover from a serious mistake.

No, people aren't perfect. But caring for small children (or bigger ones for that matter) is like playing catch with raw eggs as far as avoiding danger is concerned. Risk of a problem is never far away and one can't be too diligent, in my opinion.

When I carried around little ones in my car, the car seat was in the center and my rear view mirror was angled downward so I could see what was happening. Every glance in the mirror (which we do when driving what, every minute?) was a glance at the little one. I'm sure everyone does that. To forget they're there and get caught up in oneself is inexcusable.

Pilots mess up like any other people. That's why they have checklists, redundancies and co-pilots.

All parents make stupid mistakes. I have. Fortunately, mine haven't been fatal yet.

I haven't left one of my kids behind yet. My mom and her friend did. We were a family of six kids. The friend had nine children with seven living at home. My mom offered to babysit for the friend's wedding anniversary. We were ALL loaded in friend's vehicle heading to our house. We notice one of my brothers was missing. Friend's kids notice one of their brothers is missing. We turn around and go back about ten miles back. They are both sitting at the house wondering where everyone went. No. They weren't helpless babies, but still forgotten. It was just a change in routine for both moms and didn't happen again.

Snidely, I don't disagree with you, I disagree strongly with Cynic's comment, "Solution? Simply form a habit. I always . . . blah, blah, blah." The fact is, a habit is not enough to prevent failure.

I'm a habit-creature to the point of OCD.

One morning, I went through my normal routine. Nothing changed. I got my daughter into her booster seat in the backseat of my car and left the house for my normal drive to work via daycare. I pulled into my parking space at work and opened the car door and a little 6-year-old voice from the backseat said, "Mama? Aren't you taking me to daycare today?"

So yeah - it happens. I'm just so very lucky my kid was old enough to say something...

I like the sound of "checklists, redundancies and co-pilots."

anything that works.

This topic was on our news tonight since we are in the high 90s here and it happens often. They said all the police stations and fire departments give out bright yellow hang tags to put on the mirror that says LOOK IN THE BACK or something like that. I think they said they were giving them to newborn parents too. I don't know how much that would help but it's something.

When I was working, I went out to my car at lunch time. i saw a big crowd gatherred around a nearby parked car, and a police vehicle soon pulled up. The car they had circled was locked with a young child inside. A woman came out of a nearby store, walked to the car and unlocked it. I didn't stick around, I hope the cops wrote her a ticket of some kind. "Child abandonment" sounds right. I have a neurotic, OCD type habit. I always look in the back seat of my car, when I get in or out. I'm checking for anything I might have left behind or a mugger/ car thief.

An 11-year-old Nashville student has invented a device that could save lives.

I'd seen that invention, and thought I had seen it nationally (like Shark Tank?). Maybe I saw him some place here since I live in Nashville? His invention stuck with me so well, the moment I saw the title of the post, it popped up in my head.

Great kid--great invention!

What a great kid! Smart too!

I want to give that young man a HUGE hug! (And hope he continues inventing!)

Thanks for bringing up this subject. Every year, someone forgets a child in a car. As other posters have pointed out, it can happen, and no segment of human or social strata is immune. It absolutely is horrible. I've heard of doctors leaving reports and x-ray films atop their car roofs and driving off. One of my college roomies was from a large family. One day the father backed up over the 3 year old daughter. The child died. This was devastating to her family for decades following the incident.

We should begin to put pressure on TV and radio stations and newspapers to continually air public service announcements (PSAs). Aren't radio and TV stations under some obligation to serve the public's interest? Beyond more than a blip?

In the winter, there are kids, people with dogs, whatever, who venture out onto the unfrozen ponds or lakes. Only after a life is lost, do the TV, radio and newspapers respond with a lame reminder. Jokes abound about "Darwin awards." No joke, no giggles. Whole families suffer greatly.

What if all of us approached (collectively) large retailers, media outlets, and so on about REPEATED REMINDERS?

As an aside, I am frequently asking forgetful household members to put whatever they need to take with them directly in their path to the door, the ignition switch, and so on. Their response is along the lines of, "I won't forget." I look at what they left behind. Geez. If you have something IMPORTANT, put it as an obstacle in you path. Put a large floppy paper note on the interior car door latch. Get in the habit of always checking the entire car.

Twenty years after her baby sister was accidently backed over by her father, my roommate was still in tears as she related that sad story to me. For herself, she had a troubled life, allowing a boyfriend to mistreat her. I wondered if there was a connection between the heartache and guilt (clearly undeserved) and her allowing someone to mistreat (beat) her. She was a very pretty woman and smart, funny and warm. The death of a child or sibling can leave huge holes, scars and destructive guilt. Some of this I appreciate from firsthand experience. Aside from the suffering of the accidental victim, the anguished aftermath, guilt and pain can be too enormous for words. Irrational? Indeed, but humans are emotional creatures.

I haven't read the entire thread so I'm sorry if this is a repeat. I think the darkened windows that most cars now have has lead to an increase of these tragedies. I agree that putting something in the path of exit that is obvious, is a good idea.

Thanks for the compliment graywings123! But I'm not perfect. (blushing) When you're finished with your temper tantrum you should think a little. I never said it was the ONLY solution, just a solution. Guaranteeing that any of these gadgets will make sure another life is never lost is the epitome of foolish comments IMHO. I strongly believe personal responsibility will save far more lives and you can call that "foolish". OK, we disagree. And yes, there's no measuring stick to say if a life would have been saved or not when someone does their job. To suggest that all these gadgets will totally solve the problem just isn't using common sense.

But in our world people love gadgets. They let you ignore common sense, personal responsibility and give you more texting time. And the real beauty? When the gadget "doesn't work" and you kill off another kid, you can sue the company that made the gadget! GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Yes, in a perfect world, no one would forget their children. You can be an intelligent, responsible parent and still make a mistake. It happens to all sorts of people where the only thing in common is that they are human.

There's nothing more precious than a life, and if these gadgets save even one, it's worth it. I honestly don't understand the mindset that people won't use any of these devices. Why wouldn't you want to take every single precaution possible when it comes to your child in the car? To me, recognizing that you're not perfect, and therefore making basic precautions to help prevent a tragic accident is good parenting. Refusing to use any reminders because of self-proclaimed abundance of "personal responsibility" seems incredibly short-sighted and dangerous. It's gambling a child's life on the parent thinking they are too responsible to ever forget.

Taking precautions doesn't make you irresponsible. It makes you smart.

chi83, I have a different view and experiences that you as a non-parent don't yet have.

Being entrusted with the care and well-being of a child, no matter what age, is a 24 hour job. Ensuring constant safety and reasonable protection is part of that responsibility. Distractions MUST be avoided, it's as simple as that. Every part of the day and every physical location, even in the home, has its dangers. A car trip is a car trip, houses have probably more immediate dangers than any car trip. But the specifics don't matter, someone responsible for a kid's well-being cannot be inattentive for even a few minutes.

Yes, many parents don't conduct themselves this way. Those who do have nothing to worry about. Those who are so wrapped up in themselves or think they may not be able to provide that kind of mental focus and priority for their kids probably shouldn't have children.

Cynic, that wasn't a temper tantrum, just my way of telling you that your post makes you seem like an arrogant fool

Snidely, of course it's a 24 hour job, and of course people can't be inattentive for even a minute. But it happens. Every single day. Every year we have children who die in hot cars. It shouldn't happen, but it does.

I simply don't believe anyone who claims they have never lost focus or have been distracted for even a second around their children for 18 years. It just baffles me that people are so stubborn to insist that something like this would never happen to them.

The parents that can single-handedly accomplish total attentive care for multiple back-to-back 24 hour shifts must be the same folks that are capable of giving 110%.

You nailed it, Gyr_falcon.

That rubber band and duct tape barrier that the kid invented is fabulous! Anyone can make it at home from things that most people have on hand, and for pennies. It's equally easy to repair or replace as it wears out. It doesn't require batteries. It increases mindfulness.

There is no such thing as a perfect person, nor one who doesn't have a momentary lapse. Yes, personal responsibility is at the top of the list, but without backup strategies, it's useless.

It's just that some people think that because they escaped a tragedy, or near tragedy, or were quick enough to catch their mistakes that they never rose to a level of actual danger, that they're somehow Chosen to have greater blessings than their fellows, or that it's because of their positive actions rather than luck of the draw that they escaped, and think that if they can anybody can with a total lack of understanding that they're not perfect, just lucky. I've never been in a plane crash, but I don't think it's because of my actions.

I am not a fan of this student's invention beyond it being only for a prototype. I wasn't going to say anything, but my mind is wired to automatically go from any promising idea to figuring out the unexpected consequences, and I don't like the vision. Please hear out my reasoning.

Rubber bands deteriorate when exposed to prolonged heat. The item will be stored in the car, which will get extremely hot inside. The duct tape will cover up visible deterioration. At some point, a weak band will break. If the driver is opening the door, and the band breaks near one end while under that additional tension, the remainder is going to bungee-strap whip. Probably not enough to do real damage, but startling and certainly not desirable for an end use product.

The student's idea isn't without merit; it just needs a more runs through the design process. Safety products should first and foremost be safe to use.

Sure. What you say is possible, though if it's used on a habitual basis, based on my own experience with rubber bands, it would be more likely to snap as it's being attached, and still in the grip of the driver. It surely could happen the way you say, so is something worth testing. Perhaps a bungee cord that is designed for prolonged outdoor use would be superior, or some kind of silicone strap, or something like it. Even paper ribbon or butcher's string would work. The point is that it is attached while the driver is still thinking about settling the baby, and is an unmistakable and unavoidable reminder at the destination.

Any device is going to have flaws. It's just an aid. I like the can't miss it, doesn't need batteries aspects.

You can't drive barefeet at all, against the law for sure. They suggest putting your briefcase, purse, cell phone what you would grab when getting out of the car beside the car seat so you get into habit all the time to opening up the back door and seeing baby/child and taking them out. Or make a huge sign you see of baby in car seats take out of car, or something or maybe they should have an app on cell phones for those that have them pop up and say take baby/child/pet out of car to remind you they are still in the car.

Against the law where? If you mean in the U.S., can you cite the penal code? I tried really hard to find any kind of citation that driving barefoot was against the law (USA only), and I just found tons about how it was completely legal in every state, and that when people get ticketed for it, it's for impeded control or something similar because it's not technically illegal, and the officer was looking for something to write up because there isn't a specific law about a driver acting squirrelly either.. If it actually is illegal somewhere, I'd love to know where, and whether it's local or state law. It is definitely legal to drive barefoot in California.

As pillog said, the device can be "built" for pennies;

you can use a bungee cord (if that'll work), or, long before the rubber band deteriorates, you can make a new device.

I think it's a pretty sad day when a cell phone is more important than a child? Idea to put a cell phone in the back seat so you won't forget the child because GOD knows you would never forget that almighty cell phone. Good grief Charlie Brown! I cannot imagine anyone so absent minded that they could forget a child or a pet in a car, maybe they should lay off the happy pills or maybe it's time to give up the driving privileges?

A child's car seat would be fitted with a long cord that has a "bracelet" that attaches to your arm, you try to exit the car and are halted by the tether. I still just SMH to think anyone could forget what's going on. I have my dog with me often and I could never forget her, she's my constant companion.

I hope to heck your dog isn't asleep in the back seat one hot day when, worried about where to park or how many minutes you have to get to your appointment or whether you have everything you need to make dinner, you exit the car.

My dog would never get forgotten about in the car! I don't go on appointments with her in the car. If she's in the car, we are going to the dog park or the vet. I am not that absent minded anyway, and if I was that absent minded, I would hope I would have enough sense to give up my driving privileges! You know, maybe if people would get rid of those stupid cell phones when they have other things to do, they wouldn't be so distracted that they would leave a child in the car in the first place!

Anyone who thinks it's likely, or even possible, for them to forget they have a special responsibility entrusted to them that (or who) is sitting in the back seat, should never ever put a child or a dog in their car. Period. This is a risk that should never be taken.

But what happens when someone who claims they would never forget their child, forgets their child? Once it happens, it doesn't matter what they should have done. They shouldn't have been distracted, they shouldn't have taken the child, they shouldn't have even had children, doesn't matter. It's done.

Everyone should take basic precautions. Just in case.

And using a cell phone as a reminder isn't because a cell phone is more important than a child. A lot of these tragedies happen because there's a change in routine, and for whatever reason the brain registers that the kid is safe elsewhere. Putting a purse or cell phone next to the baby is a great idea because every time you leave the car, you grab your purse or cell phone. It's routine, it's automatic, it happens every time you're in the car. It doesn't mean it's more important.

I just spoke about this with my son and daughter in law yesterday. They too cannot imagine leaving the twins in the car by accident. My son's best friend's wife said that one morning as she parked at work, she looked into the rear view mirror and their daughter was still in the car seat, she had forgotten to take her to day care. Scared her half to death thinking about what if she'd not looked in the mirror?

I can see how this could happen, especially these days. I never came even a little bit close to forgetting one of my kids, but I led a life quite different from many of today's parents. I didn't work outside the home, and my children and I were permanently attached, physically as well as emotionally.

I was rarely a rush to get anywhere. I didn't have to do much thinking ahead. Behind the wheel, I never ran through an upcoming presentation in my mind, the one a promotion might hinge on. I never tried to anticipate the questions someone might ask in a job interview, or worried about what would happen when my husband's unemployment ran out.

I kept a phone in my car for emergencies (back then it was big and bulky), but no one ever called me. Nor did I receive texts--and that includes one from a co-worker warning of the boss's bad mood that morning, one from a favorite online shopping site announcing an exciting 3-hour sale, one from eBay about a current auction, and one about overdrawn funds at the bank.

In ways it's a crazy life today. The Information Age has resulted in information overload for many. Multi-tasking has become the norm. And somehow I don't think the over-reliance on antidepressants is helping any.

So many people are plugged in and connected 24/7--in the house, in the bedroom, in the car. And all that connectivity may have resulted in a loosening of the most important connection of all.

Snidely, are you trolling just to keep the discussion going?

No pillog, I honestly don't ever consciously do that. I realized a few minutes ago while doing something else that my last post here was unnecessary. I adequately expressed my view earlier on.

Sorry to anyone whose reaction to my post included that thought.

Maybe people could put something really big dangling from the key ring or maybe a pacifier on the key ring would remind them? I told my husband that they should put a reminder on all new cars they make that as soon as you open the door to get out it says to you "children in car children in car". If you do not have children you can have it turned off but anyone with children would have it turned on at all times even if they happen to be driving without a child, it should never be turned off so you would never be able to forget about it. It would be just like the ding you hear if you leave your lights on. Surely they can come up with something foolproof?

so...not forgetting a dog who's only in the car when the car is headed to a dog-related destination is comparable to not forgetting a child who's in the car when the car is headed to a grocery store, to the driver's work site, etc?

uh...no.

& if people get distracted or stressed out, then they "shouldn't" put kids in the car at all?

Since you can't leave little ones unattended at home ( that *would* be irresponsible), what would you have people do?

quit their jobs?

stop shopping for groceries & call for pizza delivery?

Where the heck is support/sympathy for overworked, over-scheduled, anxious parents?

All I wanted to do was post some helpful ideas & maybe have others post some helpful ideas.

I certainly didn't anticipate the wholesale condemnation of parents who are doing their best.

I like the thought of the actual car seat having a built in device or warning system. A stretching cord like the little boys design as mentioned. Or maybe a sensing device in the car seat that detects weight in the seat so it knows there's a child in the seat and it could have a transponder on the key chain or an arm band etc that would alarm if you got a certain distance from the car seat. It would be automatic so you don't have to remember to do anything. You would have to have the transponder on something that you would not leave behind, keys would be a good idea.

It has been seen repeatedly that it does happen for what ever reason. We all can agree it should not. However it certainly does so the focus must be on prevention! I personally don't understand why with all the technology we have today that some very good method has not been designed and developed. One that is at a price every parent can afford. With the price of the baby seats, building it in should be feasible.

There is no problem with the technology to develop something; the problem is the liability that would result. Car manufacturers/car seat makers etc., are currently not responsible if a parent forgets their child in a car. Make a device that will sound an occupant alarm, and suddenly the manufacturer is responsible for the child's death if the alarm fails or is used incorrectly. The payouts would be huge, the risk very high and the damage to the company's reputation extended--the slim amount of sales profits would not even begin to cover the damage.

Yesterday's network news describes a rescue of a toddler locked in a closed car in a Kansas parking lot (very hot weather too). Video shows a woman attempting to smash and open up the auto safety glass with a tire iron. Safety glass is intentionally designed to NOT break open from relatively blunt impacts. However it will explode when a fine point is sudden forced against it (there is a sweet spot as well as areas that are less likely to yield).

I have a spring punch in my center console, but a neighbor has the ResQMe product and I'm going to buy a couple of those since that device also has a seatbelt cutting tool and fits onto a keychain. (Someone at a B Q showed me his very cinched tight seatbelt from an auto accident -- I don't know how anyone was supposed to release that belt after it tensioned so tightly.

Links:

toddler rescue

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=57fc1PWqXOE

Keychain Rescue Tool (glass breaker seatbelt cutter)

There are a number of devices that have a pointed steel tip. When tapped against auto safety glass (or when the spring loaded tip of the ResQMe type is put against the glass and released), the safety glass will shatter. Even a spring loaded "punch" sold at Hardware stores can work.

ResQme

http://www.esafetysupplies.com/ResQMe-Keychain-Rescue-Tool.html?gclid=CJyfzJ-j7MYCFcWPHwodxWsGOg

Oh, one more thing: the comments on the YT video are not thought out. And as far as (cell phone or purse being) "...more important than a child," nonsense. The idea behind it is this -- as an added layer of safety (leaving something you usually take with you from the car, in the back seat close to the baby/child), is aimed at addressing the many of us imperfect humans, who can momentarily become distracted. If we _routinely_ grab our cell phone, briefcase, purse or laptop, but do not routinely have a young one with us, this technique may help prevent a child from being forgotten in a car. If, once at the office (wherever), a purse, laptop or mobile phone need could have us racing to a parking lot.

With regard to the kid's invention. People can jury rig a similar setup. Marine suppliers sell thin, UV resistant bungee cord by the foot as well and easily attached hooks or fasteners to secure to the ends.

Another summer safety topic is children drowning (it is silent and quick), diving accidents, grills or bonfires (never put volatile fuel or starter on anything but a cold wood, propane or charcoal grill), and boating accidents. Just be aware. If they were planned, they wouldn't call these sad mistakes "accidents."

Too bad there is not a RED child button on the steering wheel or dash that you press when you first get in the car that will sound a warning when you get out so you don't forget the baby or a sleeping child, BUT if people would actually press it is the thing.....actually how much easier could it be! I never had children but just the thought of leaving an infant in a car is horrible. I did not take the time to read all of the respones so this idea may have been put out there already! :-)

Something like the big red button at /Staples!! But not as large as that!

the problem with any kind of note, button, or physical reminder like that is that you very quickly become inured to it and don't notice it. I think the shoe thing is the best idea. No one forgets that they have only one shoe on, unless they are impaired -- which is a whole 'nother thing. Of course, that requires people to get in the habit of removing the shoe, and sometimes "habit" is the problem.

Have you read the latest? A couple in France, left their 3-yr old behind at a rest stop. They were 90 miles away when they heard on the radio that a 3-yr old was found alone. They looked in the back seat, and there she was, missing! So they drove back and got her.