After Nanny Locks Child In Hot Car, Melrose Police Warn Residents

MELROSE, MA — After Chief Michael Lyle was the first officer on the scene Thursday of a toddler accidentally left in a hot car, he's reminding residents to take extra care.

Melrose Police responded to Slayton Road near Mount Hood Golf Course Playground shortly before 1 p.m. after a nanny said she closed the door to a car with a toddler she was watching and left the keys in the console.

In just a few minutes, the nanny told police, the child has gone from smiling and laughing to crying as temperatures quickly rose inside the vehicle. Melrose Police, Fire, and Stephens Automotive Transport responded and immediately got into the vehicle.

The toddler was locked in the car for less than 10 minutes before cooling off and being checked out my EMS.

"The story ended well in this case, and the officers, firefighters and tow operator did an outstanding job, but today showed just how quickly conditions change inside a vehicle," Lyle said. "I know accidents happen, but I hope all residents will read and appreciate these important safety tips and never intentionally leave a child or a pet inside a hot car."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 42 children died from vehicular heatstroke in 2017 — a 63 percent increase from 2015. Young children's bodies heat up 3-5 times faster than adults, the American Academy of Pediatrics says.

Pets should also not be left in cars, even on moderately warm days.

Temperatures in a car can rise 20 degrees in 10 minutes. On a relatively cool 60-degree day, temperatures inside a car can reach 110 degrees. They can get to 125 degrees in minutes on a hot day.

Chief Lyle recommends the following safety tips from the NHTSA:

• Always check the back seats of your vehicle before your lock it and walk away.
• Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car seat when it’s empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat.
• If someone else is driving your child, or your daily routine has been altered, always check to make sure your child has arrived safely to his/her destination.

• Have your daycare provider call you if your child doesn’t arrive.

• If you see a child left in a car, take action immediately. Do not wait for the driver to return or assume that they will be back soon. If the child appears to be in distress, attempt to get them out of the car immediately, even it means breaking a window, and dial 911.

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