Be Aware: Help Prevent Heatstroke and Save Lives
Did you know that even on mild or cloudy days, a child can still be at risk for heatstroke and death because the temperature in a vehicle can get so hot? A child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s. You can help prevent a tragedy by being educated and staying aware.
The three primary reasons leading to a child’s death from being in a hot car are:
- The child is accidentally forgotten in a vehicle by a caregiver – 53%
- A child gains access to a vehicle – 24%
- Someone knowingly leaves a child in a vehicle – 22%
You can help by being educated about these facts and staying aware. Here are some important tips that you can put into practice to help prevent this from happening:
- Remember that it is NEVER safe to leave a child alone in a vehicle. There is no safe amount of time for a child to be left in a hot car.
- Keep all vehicles locked when they aren’t in use. Even if you don’t have a child of your own, a child in your neighborhood could get into your unlocked vehicle.
- Store keys and key fobs out of the reach of children and teach children that a vehicle is never a safe place to play.
- If you see a child unattended in a vehicle, act immediately and call 911. Minutes matter!
These websites have great information for you to learn more. Tools to educate your staff, and resources to share and talk about with the families you serve.
Click on the links below for additional information:
https://www.nsc.org/road/safety-topics/child-passenger-safety/kids-in-hot-cars#
