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Statement from Safe Kids Worldwide President and CEO Kate Carr Following NHTSA Study Saying that Existing Technological Changes Ineffective
Safe Kids Worldwide Emphasizes Education and Awareness as Most Effective Way to Prevent Child Tragedies from Heatstroke
July 30, 2012
Safe Kids Worldwide continues to emphasize education and awareness as the most effective tools to prevent child tragedies from heatstroke in cars. The statement comes on the heels of an important report released today by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia that concluded that technology tools are “unreliable” as measures for preventing heatstroke in children.
Advanced technologies may one day help prevent child heatstroke deaths in cars, and we urge child seat manufacturers and automakers to continue the research and development of these technologies. However, until a fail-proof technological solution is available, the immediate emphasis must remain on education and awareness campaigns to help ensure that parents and caregivers receive clear, consistent recommendations to prevent these needless deaths. An unreliable tool could prompt parents to let down their guard, and that could cost the lives of precious children.
In 2010, 49 children died from heatstroke. Last year, one of the hottest years on record, we lost 33 children. So far this year, we’ve lost 13 children, which means we’re moving in the right direction. But losing one child is one too many, which underscores the importance of education and awareness campaigns.
Safe Kids supports NHTSA’s hyperthermia education campaign, “Where’s Baby, Look Before You Lock.” In addition, with the support of the GM Foundation, Safe Kids and its network of 600 coalitions and chapters across the nation are helping to educate parents and caregivers through its hyperthermia awareness campaign, Never Leave Your Child Alone In a Car.
Together, we can cut down the number of deaths and near-misses by remembering to ACT:
- Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked so children can’t get into cars on their own.
- Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car – a briefcase, your purse, or better yet, your cell phone – that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
- Take action. This is something we can all do. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel are trained to respond to these situations.
For more information on preventing child heatstroke deaths, please visit www.safekids.org/heatstroke.
About Safe Kids Worldwide
Safe Kids Worldwide is a global organization dedicated to providing parents and caregivers with practical and proven resources to protect kids from unintentional injuries, the number one cause of death to children in the United States. Throughout the world, almost one million children die of an injury each year, and every one of these tragedies is preventable. Safe Kids works with an extensive network of more than 600 coalitions in the U.S. and in 23 countries to reduce traffic injuries, drownings, falls, burns, poisonings and more. Since 1988, Safe Kids has helped reduce the U.S. childhood death rate from unintentional injury by 53 percent. Join our effort at safekids.org.
Media Contact
Katherine Collins
Public Relations Associate
kcollins@safekids.org
314-791-0537
July 30, 2012
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