Be careful never to leave a child alone in a parked car
May 7, 2012
As outside temperatures heat up, Richland County Children Services urges parents and other adults to be careful never to leave a child in a vehicle unattended.
In 2010, around the United States, 49 infants and children died due to heat stroke from being left inside a parked vehicle.
Since KidsandCars.org, a national nonprofit child safety organization working to prevent injuries and deaths of children in and around motor vehicles, started tracking data on in the issue in 1998, more than 500 children across the country have died in these preventable tragedies.
A child’s body temperature climbs three to five times faster than an adult’s, especially in a hot car. In less than 30 minutes, the temperature inside a car can increase 35 degrees. An infant can die in as little as 15 minutes even on a mild 75-degree day, experts said.
Unfortunately, even the most conscientious parents can overlook a sleeping baby in a car and think it can't happen to them.Memory experts point out that if you’ve ever forgotten a pot left burning on the stove, you’ve seen how easy it is to have a dangerous memory lapse.
To prevent vehicular heat stroke deaths, KidsAndCars.org recommends learning the following safety tips. You could also tape them to the dashboard.
Back seat – Put something in the back seat so you have to open the door when leaving the vehicle – cell phone, employee badge, handbag, etc.
Every child should be correctly restrained in the back seat.
Stuffed animal – Move it from the car seat to the front seat to remind you when your baby is in the back seat.
Ask your babysitter or child-care provider to call you within 10 minutes if your child hasn’t arrived on time.
Focus on driving – Avoid cell phone calls and texting while driving.
Every time you park your vehicle open the back door to make sure no one has been left behind.
Security personnel, parking lot attendants and the public are asked to watch for children alone in a vehicle. Call 911 or the local emergency number immediately
