Tips for parents to avoid leaving children locked in cars
The Department of Children and Families, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and YMCA Aquatics held a news conference to discuss the dangers and actions parents can take to prevent heat strokes in cars that can result in serious injuries and even death.
On a typical summer day, the temperature inside a car can rise above 120 degrees; on mild days it can reach 100 degrees. In 10 minutes, the temperature inside a car can rise 19 degrees. In 20 minutes, that temperature can rise 29 degrees.
TIPS FOR PARENTS: Provided by Miami-Dade Fire Rescue
1) Never leave your children in a car. Cars can heat up quickly, especially during the hot days of summer.
2) Always lock your car and store the keys in a location where your kids cannot get to them.
3) Install a trunk release mechanism, so kids don't get trapped there.
4) Prioritize. Get your children out of the car first when you get home, and then take anything else like groceries or your dry cleaning out of your vehicle.
5) When leaving your car, check to make sure everyone is out of the car. Do not overlook any children that have fallen asleep in the car.
6) Even if you leave a child in a car that is running with the air conditioning on, it does not mean that they are any safer. A child may accidentally put the car into drive or get caught in a power window.
7) Bring your children with you when running errands, or use a drive-through if one is available.
8) Fire Rescue officials say one way to never forget a child in the car is the stuffed animal method. Place a stuffed animal in a visible location like the front seat when you have a child in the car. When you take the child out of the car, place the stuffed toy in the car seat. The visual will help remind you there is a child in the back.
STATISTICS: According to the Department of Geosciences of San Francisco State University
Total number of U.S. hyperthermia deaths of children left in cars, 1998-2009: 419
Total number of U.S. hyperthermia deaths of children left in cars, 2009: 4
Total number of U.S. hyperthermia deaths of children left in cars, 2008: 42
Average number of U.S. child hyperthermia fatalities per year since 1998: 38
Circumstances
An examination of media reports about the 361 child vehicular hyperthermia deaths for a ten year period (1998 through 2007) shows the following circumstances:
51% - child "forgotten" by caregiver
30% - child playing in unattended vehicle
18% - child intentionally left in vehicle by adult
1% - circumstances unknown
Ages
Children that have died from vehicular hyperthermia in the United States
(1998-2007) have ranged in age from 7 weeks to 13 years. The average age is approximately 24 months.
