- Find out how risky it really is to leave your child in your vehicle, even briefly.
- Learn how the acronym A.C.T. can help you avoid tragedy.
- Learn tips for staying focused both in the car and when you exit it.
It is terrible to think about, but tragedies can happen to anyone.
And with back-to-school schedule changes, parents are busier than ever.
That's all the more reason to be mindful of the children in your vehicle at all times.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, a child dies from heatstroke in a vehicle every 10 days. More than half of those children were forgotten by a caring adult who became distracted.
You won't forget your phone, so put it or your purse or backpack in the back seat with your child.
“Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash vehicle-related deaths for children,” says Jill Lucas-Drakeford, a health educator with Carilion Children's and coordinator of Safe Kids Southwest Virginia.
“Young children are particularly at risk, as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult’s.”
However, these tragedies are completely preventable.
Together with Safe Kids, Carilion Clinic is working to cut down the number of deaths and near-misses by encouraging everyone to ACT.
A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death:
- Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. A car can heat up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes.
- Make sure to lock your vehicle, including doors and trunk, when you’re not using it.
- Keep keys and remote entry fobs out of children’s sight and reach. Teach your child to never play inside cars or trunks.
C: Create reminders:
- Put something in the back of your car next to your child, such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
- Develop a plan with your daycare. For example, if your child is late, ask them to call you within a few minutes.
- Create a calendar reminder for your electronic devices that alerts you to make sure you dropped your child off at daycare.
T: Take action:
- If you see a child alone in a car, call 911.
- Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations.
- One call could save a life.
Make your peace-of-mind plan for prevention today and share these tips with your friends and family.
