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Cars are NO PLACE for a child to be left ALONE
- Jul 16, 2009 at 4:37 PM
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Cars Are No Place for Kids to Be Alone
THURSDAY, July 16 (HealthDay News) -- At any time of year, but especially in warm weather, don't even think about leaving a child unattended in a vehicle.
New research from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows the leading cause of non-crash vehicle deaths for children is hyperthermia, better known as heat stroke.
"Even with the windows rolled down two inches, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of a vehicle to reach deadly temperatures on a hot summer day," Ronald Medford, acting deputy administrator of NHTSA, said in a news release. "Children should never be left alone in or around a motor vehicle, not even for a quick errand. Any number of things can go critically wrong in the blink of an eye."
Strangulation by power windows and carbon monoxide poisoning are among the other leading causes of the 44 deaths and 105,000 injuries to children that occur on average in non-crash-related vehicle incidents each year.
The NHTSA warns adults to never leave a child unattended in a vehicle and never let them play in an unattended vehicle. Always lock the vehicle and roll up windows when parking in an area where children could enter your vehicle. If a child in the area is missing, always check your car interior and trunk first, the organization advises.
If you spot a child alone in a hot vehicle or suspect hyperthermia, call the police or 911 for help. Warning signs of hyperthermia include skin that is red, hot and moist or dry, a lack of sweating, a strong rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse, nausea or acting strangely. In these cases, try to cool the child rapidly.
If you are not in the habit of driving an infant or small child, experts recommend several strategies to remind you about your little passenger so you do not inadvertently leave him or her behind. These include putting a reminder note somewhere you will notice when leaving the vehicle or placing your purse, briefcase or some other necessary belonging in the back seat so you will have to check there before leaving the vehicle.
More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about heat stroke and dealing with extreme heat.
Comments:
It is amazing to me that people still DO THIS!!!
HELLO, cars are made of metal! Metal gets hot in the sun!!! DURH!
Seriously, there's almost nothing else that can get me as mad as hearing about kids being left in hot cars and overheating or dying.
IN FACT it makes me SO MAD that I made my husband block someone's car in their parking space because they left their 2 kids in their truck in the sun (right across from a police station) and I walked in and grabbed an officer myself to rectify the situaion.
Moral of the story..
You wouldn't leave a gallon of milk in a hot car. So, DON'T LEAVE YOUR KIDS IN CARS!
You wouldn't leave a gallon of milk in a hot car. So, DON'T LEAVE YOUR KIDS IN CARS!
THAT should be a Safety Awareness Slogan
I cry everytime I read about a child dying from being left in a hot car (I'm in FL and it feels to me like I read about it happening in the news daily). Voting popular:)
briefcase or some other necessary ....
this cracks me up like you are more concerned with your purse then your kids
briefcase or some other necessary ....
this cracks me up like you are more concerned with your purse then your kids ibebreezy
The reality is that most of these types of deaths occur because an otherwise devoted and caring parent forgot their child due to a change in a schedule or a non-child related distraction. That truly makes these types of stories heartbreaking - because behind it there is a parent who will carry the guilt of their child's death for the rest of their life. We all get busy at times and if putting your bag in the backseat is the one simple step that can keep me from experiencing that awful feeling, then you better believe I will do it. It has nothing to do with placing greater importance on something other than your kids.
Another idea I picked up from a similar news report on my local news is to attach a small baby toy to your key chain. It sounds silly, but it acts as a reminder of your child and you need to touch and look at it before you get out of your car every time. You are more likely to remember your child when you pick up your keys.
This is a very timely post. Thanks for bringing our attention to it. I hope nobody hesitates to call the police the instant that they see a child in a car alone.
I agree that we need to make that slogan a Safety Awareness Sign! I bet my doctor's office would hang it up!
Similarly, if this is what happens to a child, think about what is happening to dogs, too! I don't even like dogs, but seeing them locked up in people's cars with the window cracked open in the summer is one of my biggest pet peeves. Dogs can't sweat, which is the way that we cool down. Please, people: leave your dog at home!
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I didn't realize how fast a car could reach deadly temperatures! Thanks for posting this! I don't leave my boys in the car, even for a minute!
- lovenolan
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