Safety TipsKids In Hot Cars Heatstroke Safety Tips For Parents and Caregivers
Kids in hot cars are a deadly combination. Whether international or accidental, these deaths are preventable, which makes it all the more tragic. Here are some helpful tips to make sure it doesn't happen to you.
Never leave a child alone in a parked car, even with the windows rolled down, or air conditioning on. Children's body temperature can heat up 3 to 5 times faster than adults. A core temperature of 107 is lethal.
Always look in the front and back of the vehicle before locking the door and walking away.
Heatstroke can occur in temperatures as low as 57 degrees. On an 80-degree day, temperatures inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels in just 10 minutes.
Never let children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them a vehicle is not a play area.
Always lock you vehicle doors and trunk and keep the keys out of a child's reach. If a child is mission, quickly check all vehicles, including the trunk.
Is dropping a child off not part of you normal routine? Come up with some ways to remind yourself that the child is in the car.
Place an item that you keep on you, like a briefcase or purse, in the back seat next to the car seat, so that you'll always check the back seat before you leave the car.
Call you spouse after you drop the child off to make sure you didn't forget.
Have daycare call you if your child doesn't show up.
Write a not and place it on the dashboard of the car. Or set a reminder on you cell phone or calendar. You can also download the baby Reminder App for iPhones.
If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle:
Always make sure the child is okay and responsive. If not, call 911 immediately.
If the child appears okay, you should attempt to locate the parents; or have the facility's security or management page the care owner over the PA system.
If the child is not responsive and appears in great distress, attempt to get into the care to assist the child, even if that means breaking a window.
Remember: kids in hot cars are a deadly combination. Don't take the chance. Look before you lock.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - www.safecar.gov/heatstroke
San Francisco State University, Department of Earth & Climate Studies - www.ggweather.com/heat/
Safe Kids - www.safekids.org
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia - www.chop.edu