Look before you lock your car, police warn parents

Hyderabad: To prevent children from dying of heat suffocation inside parked vehicles, the Cyberabad police issued an advisory on Wednesday, reminding parents to ‘look before you lock’.The advisory comes on the heels of a five-year-old girl who was found dead inside her father’s car, after she climbed into the parked vehicle to play and got stuck inside in sweltering heat. “Always check the car before locking it. Before walking away, inspect both the front and back seats. Make it a habit to ‘Look Before You Lock’. Never leave children unattended in or around a vehicle, not even for a short time. Keep car keys out of children’s reach to prevent accidental access,” the advisory said.“Educate children that cars are not safe places to play or hide. Ensure they understand never to enter a car alone. Double-check your car before locking it—ensure no child or pet is left inside. Communicate clearly—when multiple adults are travelling with a child, assign who is responsible. Don’t assume someone else has taken the child out.”“Always lock your car when it’s parked, even at home. Keep keys away from children’s reach. Install safety alerts such as rear seat reminders or child detection systems that notify you if a child is left inside. Avoid using black films or heavily tinted windows on car glass, as they reduce visibility and make it harder for others to notice if someone is trapped inside,” the advisory adds.“Keep doors and windows closed and locked at all times when the vehicle is not in use. Inform family members and domestic helpers about these safety practices. If a child goes missing, check inside the vehicle and nearby cars immediately. Be alert to children playing near parked vehicles, especially during hot weather.”Raise community awareness. Neighbours and bystanders should act immediately—if you see a child alone in a parked car, call emergency services without delay, the advisory said.