There have been at more than twenty-two deaths of children in hot vehicles in 2011. In 2010 there were at least forty-nine deaths of children due to hyperthermia (heat stroke) from being in hot vehicles. In the previous year (2009) there were a total of at least 33 such fatalities in the United States due to hyperthermia after they were left in hot cars, trucks, vans and SUV's. Since 1998 there have been at least a total of 516 of these needless tragedies. A study shows that these incidents can occur on days with relatively mild (i.e., ~ 70 degrees F) temperatures and that vehicles can reach life-threatening temperatures very rapidly.
As recently as August 1, the Macon, Ga. telegraph reported the death of three year old Andrew Callway
who died at a day care center when left in a van, in the heat. July 12, 2011 four year old Lilly Parson died in a hot car in Cleburne, Tx. July 17th, in Jamacia 20 month old Dwayne Bancy died while his three year old brother survived being left in a car but was rescued by neighbors who saw them pounding on the windows of the car. July 9th a three year old boy died in Norman Oklahoma in a hot car. And the list goes on.
Since 1998 through the first of June, more than 500 children have died after being left unintentionally in a hot car according to the child safety organization Kids and Cars and now that the warm weather is upon us that number is, unfortunately, rising.
To help prevent more tragedies in 2011, it is time to educate parents and drivers on the dangers of leaving children unattended for any period of time in a car especially during the warm summer months.
These tragedies can and do happen to anyone. A change in routine, stress, a sleeping baby in the back, can all contribute to a parent or caregiver forgetting to take their child out of a car. Some knowingly leave children in a car “just for a minute” not realizing how quickly the temperature in a car can rise to dangerous levels. Even on a 70 degree day, the inside temperature of a car can exceed 120 degrees even with windows partially open.
Statistics also show that these incidents occur more often with younger children--75 percent of those killed were under 2 years of age.
Here are some tips to help avoid these unnecessary deaths and keep your children safe.
Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle (not even for a minute).
Check the car to make sure that all occupants leave the vehicle or are carried out when unloading. If you lock the door with a key, rather than with a remote, it would force that one last look in the car before leaving it.
Always lock your car and keep keys and remotes away from children.
Keep a stuffed animal in the front passenger seat as a reminder of a child in the backseat.
Place something in the backseat that you would need, such as a purse, briefcase or cell phone.
Have a plan that your childcare provider will call you if your child does not show up.
If you see a child alone in a car especially if they seem hot call, 911 to help get them out.
For additional information on keeping your children safe in and around motor vehicles, visit the Kids and Cars website and our special section on kids and car safety. Also read: "Hot cars: A deadly danger."
An examination of national media reports about the 500+ child vehicular heat deaths for a 13 year period (1998 through 2010) shows the following circumstances:
• 51% - child "forgotten" by caregiver (253 Children)
• 30% - child playing in unattended vehicle (150)
• 17% - child intentionally left in vehicle by adult (86)
• 1% - circumstances unknown (5)
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