It’s a horrifying story we hear all too often this time of year. A child dies after being left in a hot car.
In as little as 10 minutes, the temperature in a car can rise by 20 degrees or more. A child’s core temperature can quickly become dangerously high. In fact, studies show a child’s body temperature will rise three to five times faster than an adult’s.
Even on mild or cloudy days with slightly open windows, temperatures inside vehicles can reach life-threatening levels in no time.
Last year, 52 children died in hot cars, the deadliest year in two decades of record-keeping. According to the National Safety Council, since 1998, almost 800 children have died from vehicular heatstroke; 24 percent of those deaths occurred in employer parking lots while the parent or caregiver was at work. So far this year, 14 children have died in hot cars.
How does this kind of tragedy happen?
Most often it’s a matter of a parent or caregiver forgetting that the child is in the car, an unsupervised child gaining access to a vehicle, or someone knowingly leaving a child in the car.
Prevention
No child should ever be left unattended in a vehicle. According to NSC, parents and caregivers can establish some basic preventative measures to ensure their child is safe:
- First, don’t think it couldn’t happen to you – Every parent or caregiver needs to be aware of the danger.
- Slow down and avoid distractions – Being over-tired and over-stressed, as many parents are, can result in a child being forgotten in the backseat, especially when regular routines are disrupted.
- Look before you lock – Place a purse, briefcase, work ID or even a left shoe in the back seat so that you are forced to take one last look before locking up and walking away.
- Always keep car doors locked – When your car is in the driveway or garage, keep the doors locked so children cannot gain access. Teach them that cars are not play areas.
- Safely store car keys and fobs – Young children love to get their hands on keys and fobs. Keep them out of reach.
- Ask your child’s school, daycare, babysitter or preschool to contact you if your child does not show up where they are supposed to be.
- Don’t do it. Not even for a minute – There is no safe time to leave a child in a vehicle, even if you are just running a quick errand.
Most importantly, in this situation where minutes count, remember: If you see something, say something. If you notice a child alone in a car, call 911. If you have to, break a window.