Summer Child Car Safety: KidsAndCars.org · NJ101.5 Radio ·
Tommy Sotomayor · Safety/Prevention Tools · Other Car Hazards To Children
Already this year there have been 28 confirmed child vehicular heatstroke deaths in the United States. This represents more hot car deaths than we have ever suffered this summers during any year in U.S. history. These tragedies are predictable and preventable.
KidsAndCars.org president and founder Janette Fennell said, “We always see an increase in child injuries and deaths this time of year. It is devastating to know that there are families all across America right now holding their precious babies, unaware that they will lose them in a hot car this summer. But these children don’t have to die. Parents and caregivers have the power to make sure that this doesn’t happen to them.”
Parents should implement the Look Before You Lock Safety Checklist that provides simple tips to protect their child:
Make sure your child is never left behind in the back seat of a car
– Make it a routine to open the back door of your car every time you park to check that no one has been left behind.
– Put something you need in the back seat to remind you to open the back door every time you park – cell phone, employee badge, handbag, left shoe, work computer, etc. (The idea is if you leave the vehicle without this item, you would have to go back to get it.)
– Ask your babysitter or child care provider to call you if your child hasn’t arrived as scheduled.
– Keep a stuffed animal in baby’s car seat. Place it on the front passenger seat as a reminder when baby is in the back seat.
Make sure children cannot get into a parked car
– Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in the garage or driveway and even if you do not have children.
– Keys and remote openers should never be left within reach of children.
– If a child is missing, immediately check the passenger compartment and trunk of all vehicles in the area very carefully.
The Helping Overcome Trauma for Children Alone in Rear Seats Act (HOT CARS Act of 2017) is a critical piece of legislation that would prevent children from being needlessly killed and injured when left alone in vehicles.