Summer hasn’t even arrived and already this year two children have died from heatstroke in vehicles.
KidsAndCars.org, American Gaming Association, Congressional Fire Services Institute and other national safety groups are joining forces on Friday, May 22, for a 24-hour social media campaign aimed at raising awareness to prevent child heatstroke deaths in vehicles.
“The worst thing any parent or caregiver can do is think that they could never unknowingly leave a child behind in a vehicle,” says Janette Fennell, founder and president of KidsAndCars.org, the only national nonprofit child safety organization working solely to prevent injuries and deaths of children in and around vehicles. “This can and does happen to the most loving, responsible and attentive parents,” she added.
Since KidsAndCars.org began tracking data, at least 748 children have died from heatstroke inside vehicles. An average of 37 children die every year from vehicular heatstroke (one every 10 days).
KidsAndCars.org is calling on the public to be prepared to take action to save a life. If you see a child alone in a car; get involved. Protecting children is everyone’s business.
Remember the following “Look Before You Lock” safety tips from KidsAndCars.org:
- Make it a routine to open the back door of your car every time you park to check that no one has been left behind.
- Put something in the back seat to remind you to open the back door every time you park – cell phone, employee badge, handbag, etc.
- Keep a stuffed animal in baby’s car seat. Place it on the front seat as a reminder when baby is in the back seat.
- Arrange for your babysitter or child care provider to call you if your child hasn’t arrived as scheduled.
- Make sure children cannot get into a parked car:
- Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in the garage or driveway.
- Keys and remote openers should never be left within reach of children.
- If a child is missing, immediately check the inside and trunk of all vehicles in the area very carefully.
For additional information, statistics and charts specific to child vehicular heat stroke visit http://www.kidsandcars.org/heatstroke.html.