A Vehicle is Not a Babysitter

The Edmonton Police Service is reminding citizens of the dangers of leaving children and pets alone in vehicles; especially on hot days.

Last year, first responders from EPS, EMS and Edmonton Fire Rescue Services responded to 340 instances involving children and pets left unattended in vehicles.

EPS responded to 83 of these incidents - all of which involved children. More than half of these calls occurred between May and September, with the most occurrences taking place in July.

This year, EPS is partnering with EMS, Edmonton Fire Rescue Services and Kingsway Mall to remind parents, guardians and pet owners to never leave their children or pets alone in a vehicle.

"A vehicle is a false sense of security," stresses Cst. Seth Dodman with the Child at Risk Response Unit. "In addition to risks of heat stroke and medical distress, a thief could easily steal the vehicle not knowing there is a child or pet inside."

See an unattended child or animal in a car on a hot day? Here's what you do:

1. Call 911
2. Check for signs of overheating:
   • Fast, noisy breathing
   • Disorientation
   • Collapse
   • Vomiting
   • Lack of responsiveness
3. Check vehicle doors:
   • If unlocked, remove child or animal.
   • If locked, break glass and remove child or animal.
   • If owner returns, advise them that the police are on their way. Don't confront the individual.

*If you decide to break a window, be safe. Watch out for broken glass and aggressive animals.

For more information, please visit http://www.edmontonpolice.ca/NotABabysitter.