It can be tempting to leave a baby alone in a car while we quickly run into the store. And sometimes, babies and young kids can sleep so peacefully that we forget they are even there. The problem is that leaving a child alone in a car can lead to serious injury or even death from heatstroke.
Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children. On average, every 10 days a child dies from heatstroke in a vehicle. Young children, in particular, are at risk as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult’s. Tragedies like these are completely preventable. Below is a short guide to help keep your kids safe from heatstroke.
Reduce the number of deaths from heatstroke by remembering to ACT, according to Safe Kids Worldwide.
A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car – not even for a minute. Also, make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.
C: Create reminders by putting 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.
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.
Remember, in an emergency call 9-1-1, then call Pop-A-Lock Jacksonville at 904-246-4590. PAL Saves Kids, our free community emergency door unlock program can rescue your child who is accidentally locked in your vehicle.