Jun 2016 28

Heatstroke Safety Tips For Traveling With Kids

Each year an average of 37 children have died as a result of vehicular heat stroke with the highest number of deaths in recent years taking place in 2010 with 49 total fatalities. This is an extremely unfortunate and preventable situation that has gained a large amount of attention especially in the last several years. That is why organizations such as Kids and Cars have dedicated their efforts to helping to educate parents and caregivers on proper safety measures to take when you are traveling with children. Additionally, several manufacturers have begun developing new technologies that are designed to alert drivers and remind them that their children are still in the back seat once they arrive at their destination so that they are not accidently forgotten.

The inside of your vehicle can heat up very quickly, especially in the summer. Think about how hot your vehicle is when you first get into it when it has been parked outside for a long period of time in the heat ,the interior temperature of a vehicle can reach as high as 125 degrees in a matter of minutes. In fact, the majority of the temperature increase takes place in the first 10 minutes making that the most crucial time frame. Also, since a child’s body can overheat 3-5 times faster than an adult’s it puts them at an extra risk for suffering heat-related damage much quicker.

Here are a few safety tips from KidsAndCars.org for you to remember the next time you are traveling with a child in the back seat:

Never leave your child alone in the vehicle for any period of time.

“Look Before You Lock” – Make it a habit to always check the backseat of your vehicle whenever you get out of your car just to make sure you are not forgetting anything or anyone in the backseat.

Create a reminder system for yourself such as leaving an item that you will need in the backseat such as your purse, wallet, or cell phone so that you have to go in the back to retrieve it. Another option is to leave an object such as a stuffed animal in the front seat as a reminder that there is a child in the back.

Keep a strict policy with any caregivers that are left with your child and make sure that your daycare knows to call and check up on the whereabouts of your child if they are not dropped off without prior notice that they will be absent.

Always keep your vehicle locked to prevent children from getting inside on their own and remember to ask guests visiting your home to do the same. Also, keep your keys out of reach you that your children can not open the vehicle on their own.

Always make the interior and trunk of nearby vehicles one of the first places you look when a child goes missing.

Call 911 immediately if you see a child alone in a vehicle and if they appear to be in distress get them out as quickly as possible.

Remember to be especially alert whenever you are outside of your normal routine or traveling during a busier time of the day.

Whenever possible use drive-thrus (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, and more) and try to pay for gas at the pump so that you do not have to get out of your car.

“Heat Stroke.” KidsandCarsorg. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 June 2016. <http://www.kidsandcars.org/how-kids-get-hurt/heat-stroke/>.