On July 4th I regretfully and accidentally locked my children in the van at a Bedford box store on a very hot and humid day with no windows open. My two year old had climbed into the drivers seat and must have hit the lock button because after I buckled him in I closed his door and heard the sound of a door locking with my keys in my sweater on the floor of the van. Immediately I realized my mistake and saw a woman getting out of her vehicle and told her what had happened, she volunteered to stay with my little guys (9 months and 2 1/2 yrs old) while I ran to the tire and lube department. They did not have anything there that would open my doors but came with me and allowed me to use one of their cellphones to contact 911.

I spoke with a woman about the matter and told her I needed someone, whether it was CAA, roadside police, or anyone who could get the door open so I could bring my two young boys to safety. I had even given her the age of my boys, the location, etc. She tried to keep me on the phone which is protocol I realize, but I had other phone calls to make to reach help (i.e. my extra keys from home 10 minutes away). After a very long wait one of the store employees called 911 to see what the hold up was and she responded that she didn’t realize that there were children in the car. He had been with me when I phoned originally to tell her and he knew this was not the case.

The store was so helpful, while two representatives stayed with me and the lady from the parking lot, one of them went to a hardware store across the street to see if they had something useful for opening the van. Still no response from the 911 call. I told the men they could break the window if help didn’t arrive within 2 minutes. Then low and behold roadside assistance arrived and within seconds my boys were freed from the hot van. The three angels from the store brought me some water for the boys and fronted the bill for roadside for opening the van. I am so thankful to them. Also to the lady from the parking lot that helped me by entertaining and staying with my boys I am thanking you. I will forever be grateful and don’t know (other than this note) how to repay them. 911 could take a few lessons from them as they were much more attentive and efficient on helping me in this emergency. 911 took 45 minutes to respond and seemed to care very little. I hate to think what would have happened if it was exclusively up to them to take care of this emergency. —Yvette of Fall River