It’s Heatstroke Awareness Month and CHOC would like to remind everyone never to leave a child alone in a car. Sadly, there were 11 vehicular heatstroke deaths in the United States, in 2015 alone.
Heatstroke occurs when the body isn’t able to cool itself quickly enough and the body temperature rises to dangerous levels. Symptoms can quickly progress to seizures, organ failure and even death. Young children are particularly at risk, as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult’s. More importantly, these injuries are completely preventable.
Keep your little ones safe with these tips:
- Never leave your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. No exceptions.
- Teach kids not to play in cars. Keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own. Remind kids that trunks are for transporting cargo and are not safe places to play.
- Create reminders by putting something in the backseat of your car next to your child, such as a briefcase, purse or cell phone that is needed at your final destination.
- Go a step further – create extra reminders. Develop a plan with your daycare so that if your child is late, you’ll be called within a few minutes. Be especially careful if you change your routine for dropping off children at daycare.
- Take action. If you notice a child alone in a car, call 911. If your child is missing, get help and check swimming pools, vehicles and trunks. If your child is locked in a car, get him out as quickly as possible and call 911 immediately.
