According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration about 38 children die of heatstroke each year in the United States. Studies show that about half of the incidents involve a loving parent or caregiver forgetting about a sleeping child in the backseat. Curious children may sneak into an unlocked car to play and get locked in, so if your child is playing outside and disappears for a few minutes – check the car immediately, including the trunk.
Children left in a parked car, even on what feels like a cool day, are at risk of heatstroke. Also a child’s body’s temperature rises 3-5 times faster than an adult’s.
STEPS TO TAKE
a) instruct your child’s caregiver to give you a call if your child doesn’t show up by a certain time.
b) place a stuffed animal in the front seat as a reminder that your child is riding along
c) Sometimes if you leave a key item of your being like a cell phone, wallet, bag on the backseat or on the ground then you are liable to open the door to look for it and then that’s when you can see that your child is there
d) If you see a child in a parked car – call for help.
Source: Tips on how to prevent hot car deaths by 19 Action News Digital Team
