Summer Heat Warning

Never Leave Children Alone in Cars

Hyperthermia is Leading Cause of Non-crash Child Vehicle Deaths

Recently, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) warned parents that the risk of a serious injury or death during hot weather is greater for children left alone in vehicles. Recently released research shows that hyperthermia (heat-stroke) is the leading cause of non-crash vehicle deaths for children.

"Even with the windows rolled down two inches, it only takes 10 minutes for the inside of a vehicle to reach deadly temperatures on a hot summer day," said Ronald Medford, Acting Deputy Administrator of NHTSA. "Children should never be left alone in or around a motor vehicle, not even for a quick errand. Any number of things can go critically wrong in the blink of an eye."

According to a new NHTSA study, 262 children under the age of 14 are killed and 115,000 are injured in non-crash incidents on private roads, driveways and in parking lots each year. Of that number, 44 fatalities and 105,000 injuries are the results of non-crash incidents such hyperthermia, strangulation by power windows, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

Many of the remaining deaths and injuries in non-crash incidents are the result of a child being backed over by a vehicle where the driver did not see the child.

The NHTSA's safety tips to prevent hyperthermia include:

·        Never leave a child alone in a vehicle.

·        Do not let your children play in an unattended vehicle. Make sure they understand that a vehicle is not a play area.

·        Never leave infants or children in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are partially open or if the engine is running and the air conditioning is on.

·        Always inspect the front and back seats of the vehicle before locking the door and walking away.

·        If your spouse or partner is taking your child to daycare, and normally it's your responsibility, call your spouse or partner to make sure everything went according to plan.

·        Ask your childcare provider to phone you immediately if your child does not show up for childcare. To remind yourself that a child is in the vehicle:

·        Write a note and put it on the steering wheel or anywhere you will see it when you leave the vehicle.

·        Place your purse, briefcase or something else you need in the back seat so that you will have to check the back seat when you leave the vehicle.

·        Keep an object in the car seat, such as a stuffed toy, to remind you that a child is in the vehicle. When the child is buckled in, place the object where you will see it when exiting the vehicle.

·        Always lock vehicle doors and trunks and keep keys out of the reach of children. If a child is missing, inspect your vehicle first, including the trunk.

·        Call 911 if you see a child alone in a hot vehicle. Get them out as quickly as possible if they are in distress due from the heat.

·        Cool the child as quickly as possible.

·        Labels: child safety, driver education

 By The National Safety Commission