KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Yesterday, a 2-year-old girl was found unresponsive in a hot car in Baltimore, MD and later died. She had been in the car for at least 24 hours. This is the 8th death of 2015, the 6th death in June, and the 3rd death this week. The full article can be read here: http://washington.cbslocal.com/2015/06/22/2-year-old-dies-after-being-left-in-hot-car-in-baltimore/
The number of child heat stroke deaths in vehicles continues to mount. Each year, an average of 37 children lose their lives in this way, or about one every 10 days. Since the group Safe Kids Worldwide began tracking data, at least 670 children have died in these preventable tragedies. Heat stroke is the leading cause of non-crash vehicle fatalities for children 14 and younger, but can be prevented.
Safe Kids Metro KC, a program of Mother & Child Health Coalition, wants everyone to know that this tragedy can happen to anyone, even the most loving and attentive parents. It has happened to teachers, a pediatrician, dentist, postal clerk, social worker, police officer, nurse, clergyman, electrician, accountant, soldier, assistant principal and a rocket scientist.
A parked car can reach 125 degrees in minutes, even when the windows are partially open. Children are especially vulnerable to heatstroke, as their body temperatures rise three to five times faster than an adult’s. All parents need to carefully follow the guidelines for placing car seats in the back seat – the safest place for children to ride. Babies should ride rear-facing in their car seats till age 2, according to the guidelines prescribed by the American Academy of Pediatrics. At the same time, parents must understand that while requiring children to ride in the back seat has saved many lives, it also requires drivers to take extra precautions to avoid children from being unknowingly left alone in a vehicle. “Following Look Before You Lock safety education tips doesn’t cost a penny, and provides several layers of protection so your child will not be unknowingly left in a vehicle,” said Regina Weir, program coordinator for Safe Kids Metro KC. “We never know when there might be a day that our memory fails us, so we urge parents to implement these easy-to-follow instructions so that they become a habit for them and all who care for their child.”
TIPS TO PREVENT HEAT STROKE / HYPERTHERMIA
Together, we can reduce the number of child heatstroke deaths and near misses by remembering to ACT:
A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. Make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it, so kids don’t get in on their own. If a child is missing, check the car and trunk right away.
C: Create reminders by putting something on the back floorboard in front of your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. Keep a teddy bear in the car seat when the child is not in it, and move it to the front seat when she is. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
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.
Safe Kids Metro KC Coalition – Part of a national network of Safe Kids Coalitions, Safe Kids Metro KC is a four-county effort to educate parents on how to prevent injuries to children under 19, through education and advocacy. Focus areas include motor vehicles, bicycle, pedestrian, drowning, safe sleep and home safety. Learn more at: http://www.mchc.net/programs/safe_kids_metro.aspx
TV Public Service Announcements
Somebody Help Me! (30 Seconds)
Oven (30 Seconds)
Oven (15 Seconds)
Heatstroke (30 Seconds)
Heatstroke (15 Seconds)
It Only Takes a Second (30 Seconds)
It Only Takes a Second (15 Seconds)
* To learn more about the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA’s) “Where’s Baby? Look Before You Lock.” campaign, visit www.safercar.gov/heatstroke
Please help to pass the word to every parent and caregiver to ask,
“WHERE’S BABY?? LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK!!”
For more information or interviews call
(816) 283-6242 ext. 226 or (816) 806-9929
