Fire Department

Firefighters responded to the parking lot of Bethel Lutheran Church Thursday afternoon to help a woman who accidentally locked her grandchild in the car.

The woman told Ladder Company 1 she was trying to get her 18-month-old grandson in the vehicle when she closed the door and realized her keys were on the seat.

Using their lockout kid, firefighters were able to wedge open the door and insert an unlocking bar inside to open the door.

The crew noticed the child did not have a car seat and, out of concern for his safety, they would not allow the family to leave without one. After some coordination, paramedics aboard Medic 3 arrived with a rear-facing car seat, and Ladder Company 1 installed it properly before buckling the child in. 

Finding no other hazards on scene, Ladder Company 1 cleared the call, leaving the family safer than they were before firefighters arrived.

SAFETY TIP: Per the State of Wisconsin, kids 4 years old or younger and weighing 40 lbs. or under must ride be safely secured in a child seat. Kids under 8 years old must be seated in federally approved safety seats or boosters until they reach over 80 lbs in weight, or are taller than 4 ft 9 in.
The Madison Fire Department hosts car seat checks in partnership with the Safe Kids Madison Area Coalition at fire stations around the community. Visit the Safe Kids website to view the schedule and make an appointment.