Blog: In Memory of Baby Carlson

Posted by: Torine Creppy at Mar 14, 2011 12:00 AM CDT

Keywords: Education, Parents, Safety Tips

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Last week marked the first 2011 hyperthermia death of a child left unattended in a hot vehicle. This tragedy occurred when a mom forgot to drop her six-month-old daughter at daycare before work one ordinary Tuesday morning. Some deaths have no immediate answers. But it's only human to have questions: why didn't the daycare facility call the parent to inquire about the baby's absence? Why doesn't society talk about this difficult subject more often?

It was 82 degrees that day in New Braunfels, Texas. But you might be surprised to hear that this can happen on a 72-degree day, and how quickly children’s bodies heat up. There’s a medical reason why this happens to kids - their bodies aren’t the same as adults.

Education is the key. So over the course of this year, Safe Kids USA will be working with Safe Kids coalitions, national and local partners across the country to shed light on this critical issue. It all kicks off in Austin, Texas on March 15th.

Why Texas? Sadly, Texas leads the nation. In 2010, 13 children died in these vehicle related child heatstroke deaths. Actually, 1 in 7 deaths - since records have been kept – have occurred in Texas. In previous years, vehicular heatstroke begins long before what is considered the “hot season” - usually as early as March. The first death last year was the exact same date as baby Carlson - March 8th. That family’s tragedy struck on a 73-degree day in Fort Myers, Florida.

As we expand our national education and awareness efforts professionally, we also promise to do our part personally. As I write this blog, I ponder how to spread the word about hyperthermia (heatstroke) at my son's nursery school. I will do my part. Perhaps you can find a way too. Children shouldn’t die. And when they do, it gives us pause. Today, let us find the strength to speak up when we see a child in the car alone. Let us find the strength to do more. Remember, Never Leave Your Child Alone In A Car – not even for a minute.

Find What You Need to Know Here

Comment on this Blog Post:

Posted by Elizabeth Wallace at: May 20, 2011

19 years ago, I distinctly remember showing up for work in my first week back after having my baby girl. I was fortunate enough to look in the back seat and see her sleeping there. I quickly ran in and told them I would be late. I had never had to drop a child off for daycare, and it wasn't in my normal routine. I will never criticize a grieving parent, as I know that there, but for the Grace of God, go I. I am no better, just more fortunate. I pray that they will encounter love and understanding as they attempt to deal with the death of a beloved child, and that people will use these cases as a reminder so that no more children are left in cars. Now, as a safety professional, I am fortunate enough to be able to educate parents and use my own experiences to hopefully save a child's life someday.

Posted by Amanda Hawkins at: March 28, 2011

I guess none of you other posters have dealt with sleep deprevation before. Sleep deprevation trumps motherly instinct most of the time especially if your child is out of earshot and you cannot hear them cry and is close to functioning like you are intoxicated at times. Shame on you Ross Smith for criticizing her in light of this tradegy. As a mother of 4 with my youngest being 5 months old and working full time I can understand something like this happening. I still get up 4 times in the night with my youngest and never get more than 2 hours of uninterrupted sleep at a time. Maybe there is more to the story - maybe dad takes the baby on Tuesdays normally and she forgot. I myself have left my son in the car because I forgot I had him with me and he was sleeping so soundly but I remembered before I even got to the door of the store. Have some compassion this poor mother will never be the same and it grieves me that she will have to live with this forever.

Posted by Helen Sisneros at: March 17, 2011

Eucating the community and finding ways to remind a parent their child is in the vehicle would be helpful. I am going to personally start taking action and provide information and providing Tips for Parents to prevent Hyperthermia. The past couple of years as part of my community education I have been able to provide the Life-Meter to over 200 families the Life Meter reminds parents JUST how HOT it gets in the car.

Posted by David Bell at: March 16, 2011

When I read a very similar story back in July, 2007, we were saying the same things; use a purse or briefcase as a reminder, but a purse's average weight is 5.2 lbs, and a briefcase is over 8 lbs., both are dangerous with any rollover, espe...cially in the back seat. I invented a product to be made of soft poly foam, weighing under 2 lbs, and it's easily belted behind any seat belt. It is belted in FRONT when the baby is back, so the visible yellow neon head shows up not only to the dirver, but to any passerby within 50 yard. Hence the driver can't ignore it, and the passerby finally has a Reason to Stop and Look in the back, thinking (someone went through the trouble of standing the VizKID up, today, so I'd better take a quick look). This isn't some sales gimmick. I created the product simply as a logical option for parents who would like an additional tool to help ensure peace of mind when driving.

Posted by Cindi Bailey at: March 15, 2011

In a world where distractions are the norm, we hear about theses cases and feel for the family of course. We need to slow down and take time for the important things in life, our families.. I personally have a stay at home day for my celphone at least once a month, what did we do without a phone on our ear all the time, Not that this is what caused this...

Posted by Lisa Thouas at: March 14, 2011

My heart breaks for both the mom and her baby - I am sure what she will have to wake up to everyday is far more painful than anything anyone has to say. Prayers for you and your surely broken heart. There must have been something overwhelmingly on your mind that day to throw you off your schedule. I am sorry for your loss.

Posted by Ross Smith at: March 14, 2011

There is no excuse for this to happen. No blame on anyone else but yourself. When you become a parent, YOUR life changes, forever. That is the choice that you have made. If there was a test to take to become a parent, you would be surprised at how many would fail...

Posted by Tammie Macklin at: March 14, 2011

Please always try to remember that your child is with you. I've never experienced leaving a baby in the car, so I can't say I understand. I do know that the motherly instinct should have kicked in at some point during the first hour of the morning to remind you that the child is in the car. In fact, it should have kicked in within the first few minutes. But to the mother, my prayers are with you!

Posted by Karenmarie Bryant at: March 14, 2011

As parents our job is to pay attention to our children. We have got to stop allowing distractions rule our lives (phones, makeup, work). Our children depend on us to take care of them, they have no one else. It is an unwritten rule that once that child is CONCEIVED we then become a caregiver to that child. We owe it to them to at least PAY ATTENTION to them.