Safety Alert
Do Not Leave Children in Hot Cars
Long, warm days of summer tend to slow people down as they run from one errand to another. Wouldn’t it make more sense to leave the kids in the car while mom or dad runs into the convenience store to pay for gas? Though the line is long, the children will be fine in the car, or so was the thought.
According to Kids in Cars, a nonprofit agency dedicated to preventing injuries and deaths due to children left unattended in or around motor vehicles, 149 fatal unintentional incidents involved children and cars. More than 80% of those fatalities resulted from hot weather or back over accidents.
Inside car temperatures reach dangerous temperatures in just a few minutes. Even cracking the window does not do much to relieve the soaring summer heat. Heed some advice* to prevent injury or death to a child this summer:
NEVER leave a child in an unattended car – even with the windows down.
Check that all children exit the car upon reaching the destination.
Check the safety seat and safety belt surfaces for heat that could burn a child.
Shade seats from the sun while parked.
Leave a responsible adult with the air conditioner running if a child remains in a parked car.
By following such guidelines, children avoid heat stroke, setting the car in motion, and injury while playing in the car. Kids are curious in nature and like to investigate. Playing in or around a car also leads a child into tragedy by getting locked in the car or trunk. Here is some advice to prevent such a scenario:
Teach children that cars are not toys.
Keep car keys out of reach and sight of children.
Have a spare set of keys accessible at all times.
Lock the car, even when it is parked in the driveway.
Do not rely on child-resistant locks.
Practice safety and take measures to incorporate it into everyday life. Protecting a child from harmful situations is the responsibility of all adults. State laws were created to protect children from endangerment. If you notice a child in danger, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. Taking action can save a life!
*Provided by Safe Kids Worldwide, http://www.usa.safekids.org/index.cfm.
Back To Articles
