TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT HOT CAR DEATHS
As summer temperatures continue to climb across the country, it’s important to remember that while these summer days are great for the pool and the beach, they’re not so good for the inside of cars, which can raise to deadly temperatures in a very short period of time.
Sadly, since 1998, at least 910 children across the United States have died from heatstroke.
Over the last two years, due to the pandemic and reduced driving exposure, we saw fewer hot car deaths. But during these stressful times, with changes in our routines, states reopening, temperatures on the rise, and parents heading back to work, we are all concerned that we could soon be back on pace with the record number of deaths we saw in the two years before COVID.
Our greatest wish is that heatstroke won’t claim the life of another child.
What many people are shocked to learn is how hot the inside of a car can actually get. As you can see in this video, the temperature inside a car climbs dramatically, as much as 19 degrees in 10 minutes. It doesn’t have to be a hot day and cracking the window doesn’t help.
Heatstroke can happen anywhere, to anyone. That’s why we’re asking everyone to help protect children from this very preventable tragedy. Learn what you can do in your community to make a difference today.
We are also asking everyone to remember to ACT:
A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And lock your doors and keep your keys and key fobs out of the reach of kids. And ask your neighbors to do the same.
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.
Over the last several years, Safe Kids has joined with like-minded organizations, including KidsAndCars.org, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrationnoheatstroke.org, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association, and National Safety Council, to stop kids from dying in hot cars by using every tool necessary, including awareness, education, technology, and advocacy.
By continuing to work together, we can save lives and save parents from the anguish of losing a child.
