With outdoor temperatures steadily rising, it is once again important to review safety tips regarding children in cars. Everyone knows by now that leaving a child alone in a hot car can be deadly, but every year incidents which could have been avoided occur. In most cases, the mistake is noticed quickly enough as to avert a tragedy, but sometimes, as was the case in Lakewood just a few days ago, the worst case scenario becomes reality.
According to recent data, an average of 37 children die each year in the United States from heatstroke or hyperthermia after being left in a hot car. Most victims of hot car deaths (87%) are under 3 years of age, and more than half (55%) are 1 year old or younger. The smaller the child, the more dangerous it is for them to be in a hot car. Children’s bodies temperatures rise 3-5 times faster than an adults, making them more vulnerable to heatstroke and hyperthermia.
The following are some tips one may use to avoid mistakenly leaving a child behind in a car:
– Place an item you need, such as a cellphone, purse, or briefcase next to the child
– Place one of the child’s items, such as a toy, on the front passenger seat
– Place the car seat in the middle of the backseat so you can see it from the rearview mirror
– Make it a habit to check your car for children before locking it, regardless of if you just drove a child with you or not
Additionally, parents with smartphones can download an app that will remind them not to leave their child in the car. Kars4Kids has such an app available on Google Play and the Apple Store. There are also alarms which can detect if a child is in the seat and will sound an alert if you leave the child. One such device is the ChildMinder SoftClip which will alert you on your phone via their app if you move more than 15 feet away from the child.
Some might think that taking all these precautions might be overkill – how difficult can it be to remember that there’s a child in the car, right? But as we know, it can happen to anyone. Better be safe than sorry.
Here’s another tip. Your kid should be important enough to remember they are in the car. You shouldn’t have to put any item in the backseat or front seat to remember your child is in the car.
human beings are creatures of habit. All these tips are better be safe than sorry . Humans are not perfect, and mistakes do happen.
Here’s another tip. Be sensitive to others who are suffering and are in pain right now, and never judge another. I know you are completely perfect but you might have once made a mistake even a big unforgivable one
How insensitive can you be posting a comment like this when there was just a tragedy within our town. We know that it was Hashems direct hand that took the precious baby however you seem to know and judge otherwise. Unreal. Be sensitive and stay off the computer if you have nothing smart or nice to say
are there any devices which do not require apps or smart phones/
in lkwd we still use 3g.