Child dies of heat injury after being left in vehicle

The weather is warming up, so it is likely we'll see this tragic headline once again in our newspapers. According to statistics compiled by the Kids in Cars organization, at least 100 children a year die as a result of the consequences of being left unattended in and around vehicles, and it is likely that these data vastly underestimate the magnitude of the problem.

“It will only be a few minutes. What could happen?”

• The temperature inside a car can reach deadly levels in minutes
• Children can set the vehicle in motion
• Drivers have difficulty seeing small children when they back up
• Your child might leave the vehicle to go look for you
• Your child could be abducted

Heat injury isn't the only cause of death, although it accounts for 37% of the fatalities.   Unattended children in a car can set the car in motion and crash (10%), strangle themselves in power windows (3%), set the car on fire with the lighter (3%), or become trapped in the trunk (4%).

Children are at risk outside the vehicle too.   Children backed over while playing or standing behind the vehicle make up 32% of the deaths. The blind spot behind a minivan or smaller SUV extends for over 20 feet behind the car. Most children who die in these tragic incidents are under age 2, just learning to walk and not wanting mom or dad to leave. Often the parent thinks the child was left in the house, when in reality the child followed the parent out the door and is behind the car.

So, please follow this safety advice:

• NEVER leave children alone in or around vehicles
• Keep your vehicle locked at all times, even in the garage or driveway
• Keep car keys out of reach of children
• Make sure all child passengers have left the vehicle after it is parked
• Make sure another adult is properly supervising your children before moving your vehicle
• Consider installing a backup detection device on your vehicle
• When a child is missing, check vehicles and car trunks right away
• If your child is locked inside a car, get them out as quickly as possible. If they are very hot or seem sick, call 911.
• Teach your children to never play in, around, or behind a vehicle

Remember:

A car is not a toy

A car is not a playground

A car is not a babysitter