Plan ahead to avoid leaving kids alone in car

Safety experts recommend never leaving children unattended in a car. Planning ahead can help minimize the temptation to do so:

- Take advantage of home delivery, drive-throughs for banks and pharmacies and restaurants with curbside pickup. Cluster errands together or wait until someone can watch the kids to do them.

- When getting gas, pay at the pump. Take your keys with you.

- Ask a child-care provider to meet you at your car or leave extra time to bring other children inside.

- Some businesses will provide curbside service if you ask them.

- Never leave car keys where kids can get them.

- Twelve states with laws against leaving a child unattended in a car: California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Washington and Texas.

Sources: Kids and Cars, Harrison's Hope