KIDS AND CARS
Every parent believes the unimaginable will never happen to them. An average of 38 families find out the hard way that it can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, education level, or socioeconomic status.
Last year, 52 children perished in a hot car. This year, the lives of 24 children have already been tragically lost. Some are forgotten by parents who failed to notice them as they sat quietly in their safety seats, hidden from view in the vehicle’s rear seat. Others climbed into an unlocked car and were trapped. Fifteen minutes is all it takes before life-threatening brain or kidney damage occurs. Death occurs at 107 degrees. A simple change in normal daily routine can make the difference between life and death.
KidsAndCars.org sponsors a “Look Before You Lock” campaign aimed at educating parents on ways to avoid this tragedy.
- Establish a routine to always check the back seat when you park.
- Place something in the back seat as a reminder to open the back door every time you park – cell phone, purse, employee badge, your left shoe, etc.
- Keep a stuffed toy in the baby’s car seat. Move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when baby is in the car.
- Arrange for your child care provider to call you if the child does not arrive on time.
- Keep your vehicle locked at all times, even in the garage or driveway, to prevent children from getting into it and becoming trapped.
For more tips, please visit https://www.kidsandcars.org/how-kids-get-hurt/heat-stroke/.
