Child Car Safety
Traveling in a motor vehicle can become dangerous if the proper safety measures are not taken. Even an innocent passenger can be affected by improper safety procedures, and children are at an even higher risk for this. Whether it be on the road or in the parking lot, care should be taken as how to best keep your child, and children around you, safe.
STATISTICS
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- In 2019 alone, there have already been 17 child fatalities linked to being left in hot vehicles. The youngest children were between 3 and 4 months old, the oldest being between 3 to 4 years old.
- 52 children died in hot cars in 2018.
- Over 900 children have died in hot cars since the year 1990.
- On average, 37 children die due to being left in a hot motor vehicle.
- Children’s body temperatures rise 3-5 times faster than adults.
- The temperature of a car can rise 20 degrees in 10 seconds.
- Heatstroke can occur in shade, with the windows down, or even with temperatures as low as 57 degrees.
TIPS
- Never leave children alone in or around cars; not even for a minute.
- If a child goes missing, immediately check inside passenger compartments and trunks of all vehicles in the area carefully, even if they are locked. A child could lock the doors after entering a vehicle on their own, but may not be able to unlock them.
- If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. Call 911 immediately. If the child seems hot or sick, get them out of the vehicle as quickly as possible.
- Be especially careful during busy times, schedule changes and periods of crisis or holidays. This is when many tragedies occur.
- Use drive-thru services when available (restaurants, banks, pharmacies, dry cleaners, etc.) and pay for gas at the pump.
- Keep vehicles locked at all times, especially in the garage or driveway
- Never leave car keys within the reach of children.
- Teach children to honk the horn if they become stuck inside a car.
- Make it a habit to open the back door every time you park to ensure no one is left behind.
- Ask your child care provider to call you as soon as possible if your child hasn’t arrived as scheduled.
- Clearly announce and confirm who is getting each child out of the vehicle. Miscommunication can lead to everyone thinking someone else removed the child.