Be Careful! Hot Car Deaths

Watch this video first…

I know that we all get busy and sometimes forgetful but I can’t image forgetting my child in the car. My mother has 9 children and NEVER have we EVER left a child behind. This video is really scary to me so I had to share it with you.

My children are a little older now and wouldn’t be affected if my husband ever locked them in the car again. They now ask if they can sit in the car while I run into Key Food to pick up some milk, so they can sit and continue playing their handheld game. Sometimes I agree that they can and other times I say no. When I say no it’s either really cold or really hot outside.

According to the Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Fact Sheet

FACTS:

• Total number of U.S. heatstroke deaths of children left in cars, 2016:  5
• Total number of U.S. heatstroke deaths of children left in cars, 2015:  24
• Total number of U.S. heatstroke  deaths of children left in cars, 1998-present:  666
• Average number of U.S. child heatstroke fatalities per year since 1998: 37

CIRCUMSTANCES

• • An examination of media reports about the 661 child vehicular heatstroke deaths for a 18-year period (1998 through 2015) shows the following circumstances:

    • 54% – child “forgotten” by caregiver (356 Children)

    • 29% – child playing in unattended vehicle (189)

    • 17% – child intentionally left in vehicle by adult  (111)

    • 1% – circumstances unknown (5)

SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE.  NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE!

IF YOU SEE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A HOT VEHICLE CALL 9-1-1.

Be sure that all occupants leave the vehicle when unloading. Don’t overlook sleeping babies.

Always lock your car and ensure children do not have access to keys or remote entry devices. Teach children that vehicles are never to be used as a play area.

Keep a stuffed animal in the car seat and when the child is put in the seat place the animal in the front with the driver. Or place your purse, briefcase or cell phone in the back seat as a reminder that you have your child in the car.

Make “look before you leave” a routine whenever you get out of the car.

Have a plan that your childcare provider will call you if your child does not show up for school.

The Stir has a list of great tips to ensure you don’t leave your little one in a hot car.

Please be careful and mindful.

Until next time…