This is Viewpoints Explained…
Every summer, the same warning returns: never leave a child alone in a parked car. But the danger isn’t just about someone running into a store and losing track of time. It’s about how quickly a car can turn into a burning oven, even on a day that doesn’t feel super hot.
According to the CDC, the temperature inside can jump nearly 20 degrees in just ten minutes. Cracking a window doesn’t help slow this down, and for children, the risk is greater because their bodies heat up much faster than grown adults. In just a short time, a child’s core body temperature can get too high and heat stroke can set in. If it keeps rising, it can be fatal. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that more than a thousand children in the u.s. have died this way over the last twenty-five years.
In many cases, it’s not because a parent decides to leave a child in their car. More than half of child hot car deaths happen when they’re mistakenly forgotten. Others occur when a child climbs into an unlocked car unsupervised and can’t get out.
To prevent this, experts recommend building in small backups like always putting your phone or bag in the backseat as a reminder. Also ask your child’s school or provider to call if they don’t arrive when they normally would. lastly, always keep parked cars locked when not in use.
If you see a child alone in a locked car, call 911 right away. Don’t spend those first few minutes looking around trying to find who they came with or attempting to get into the car. That can be sorted out after help is on the way.
Leave a Reply