Did you know that last year, 52 children in the U.S. died as a result of being left in a hot car? With the summer heat upon us, we want to share with you some simple steps you can take to keep your little ones safe this season. Even if you’re not a parent, please share this information with someone who is. Every member of your family matters to us!
Many parents don’t realize that a child’s small body heats up between three and five times as quickly as an adult. This means that even just a few minutes in a hot car is dangerous for a child. At just 80 degrees, a car can reach deadly temperatures in just 10 minutes. And during Kansas City summers, the high is well above 80. Even on cooler days, the sun can quickly turn a car into a dangerous place for children: heatstroke can occur when temperatures are as low as 57 degrees.
These cases happen when kids are left unattended in a hot car, and it can happen to anyone; even the most thoughtful parents can forget their child is there on chaotic days. Clouds or no clouds, the heat of the sun can be deadly for kids in a car, but this danger is completely preventable. Here’s what you can do to keep kids safe this summer:
– Never leave a baby or child alone in a vehicle.
– Create a reminder by placing something you’ll need at your next stop, like a purse or a cell phone, right next to your child’s safety seat.
– Make a habit of looking in both the front and the back seats of your vehicle before locking the door.
– Keep keys out of reach so children can’t get in on their own.
– Use a visual reminder, like a window sticker, as a simple reminder.
– Ask your babysitter or daycare center to call or text you if your child hasn’t arrived on time.
– If you have a diaper bag, place it in the front seat.
– Always lock the doors of your parked car, so children can’t find their way inside and get trapped when child safety locks are on.
If you see a child alone in a car, don’t wait. A car’s internal temperature can quickly become dangerous, so call 911 immediately. The heat of the Kansas City sun can be deadly, but it doesn’t have to be.
