Hints From Heloise
Dear Heloise: I would like to remind parents that curious children may play with the cigarette lighters in the back seats of cars without the driver’s knowledge and injure themselves.
My 3-year-old, who is now beyond the car seat stage, got into the ashtray. Curiosity got the best of her, and after playing with the lighter button she pulled it out and touched it to her finger when she saw the red color.
I never thought to remove the lighters from the rear seat area of my car. She did all of this quietly while I was driving. I dread to think what would have happened had she tried to taste the “red thing.” Auto companies that sell family oriented vehicles such as minivans should consider bagging the lighters in the glove compartment for the owners to install on their own, should they desire them in place. I am sure my child is not the only one injured in this manner and I am grateful the damage was minor. - Shelly Schenkel, Huntington, Ind.
I’m glad your little girl is OK. I’m sure moms and dads will act now to remove those rear seat lighters. - Heloise