Every day, children are left unattended in or around vehicles – a danger most people greatly underestimate.  Hyperthermia, power window strangulations, and low-speed high severity crush injuries like backovers and frontovers typify what happens when children are left alone in or around motor vehicles on private property.  This emerging public health issue causes death and injury due to the dangerous social practice of leaving children unattended in or around vehicles.

Safety Tips from KidsAndCars.org

Never leave children alone in or around cars; not even for a minute.

• Put something you'll need like your cell phone, handbag, employee ID or brief case, etc., on the floor board in the back seat. 

• Get in the habit of always opening the back door of your vehicle every time you reach your destination to make sure no child has been left behind.  This will soon become a habit.  We call this the “Look Before You Lock” campaign.

• Keep a large stuffed animal in the child's car seat when it’s not occupied.  When the child is placed in the seat, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat. It's a visual reminder that anytime the stuffed animal is up front you know the child is in the back seat in a child safety seat. 

• Make arrangements with your child’s day care center or babysitter that you will always call if your child will not be there on a particular day as scheduled.o This is common courtesy and sets a good example that everyone who is involved in the care of your child is informed of their whereabouts on a daily basis.  Ask them to phone you if your child doesn't show up when expected.  Many children’s lives could have been saved with a telephone call from a concerned child care provider.  Give child care providers all your telephone numbers, including that of an extra family member or friend, so they can always confirm the whereabouts of your child.

More tips here