I’m sure most of us have seen at least one heartbreaking article this summer about a child dying after being left in a hot car. It happened 44 times in 2013 and sadly, 2014 is moving forward at the same pace. These stories are tragic on so many levels – because it is a child, because the manner of death is horrific, because it is so preventable, and because a parent or other caretaker must bear the responsibility.
It is easy to pass judgment when we hear about these incidents … the parents are “irresponsible,” “uncaring,” “selfish,” or “too distracted to deserve the children they have.”
Although there have been recent cases that suggest the parents could be guilty of selfish neglect (at best) and murder (at worst), most of the time it is completely accidental.
One study of heat-related deaths of children in cars states that such situations “involve a wide range of circumstances including miscommunication between parents.” It happens to parents from all walks of life, often with the common factor that their normal flow of life was changed or interrupted by something, or that they were distracted in such a way that their brain went on auto-pilot.
Another common heat-related death cited in the same study includes children playing in hot cars “who do not realize the repercussions of their play.” Many children love to “pretend” drive and are fascinated by all the buttons, gauges and pedals in a vehicle. They aren’t always aware how the hot temperatures may be affecting them. Not to mention, it is very easy for a child to get trapped or tangled in the seat belt of a car. Keep cars locked when parked in the driveway or garage to detour children from entering your vehicle.
“Accidental” means it was not intentional, and the incident is not a result of gross neglect. However, this does not mean it was not preventable. The trouble is that when we point fingers self-righteously and insist that we would never ever do such a thing, we then may fail to put in place solid ideas that can help prevent future tragedies.
Before the summer gets any hotter, would you commit to adopting at one or more of these habits that can prevent the death of children in hot cars? (Additional ideas can be found on this document from KidsAndCars.org.)
- Understand how quickly children can get sick and even die from overheating, as this article from WebMD explains.
- Always lock parked cars to prevent children from climbing in and getting trapped. Even cars parked in the garage can get too warm in the summertime.
- Keep your home doors locked (and use child-safe door handle covers if necessary) to keep young children from leaving your house unsupervised.
- Ask your daycare center or school to have a policy of calling to check on your child if he or she is not dropped off like normal.
- Make a habit of putting something you need – your briefcase, cell phone, purse or even one shoe – in your back seat so you will be forced to look there before leaving the car.
- Make a habit of always strapping a stuffed animal in your child’s car seat when it is unoccupied and putting that toy in your front seat when your child is strapped in – a visual reminder that your child is in the back.
- Make a habit of always opening the back door before you leave the car, something suggested by a “Look Before You Lock” campaign several years ago.
- Avoid talking on your cell phone while driving to minimize distractions.
- Never leave a young child in the car unsupervised, even if you think you will be “just a minute.” How many times has a quick trip in the grocery store taken you longer than you thought it would?
- Buy or make something that will help remind you to check your car seats before getting out.
- This genius EZ Baby Saver invented by a 10-year-old boy.
- Air fresheners or other cards that remind you to Look Before You Lock
- These window decals made by a family whose infant daughter was left in a hot car but was found in time.
- Look in the cars near yours in a parking lot. If you see an unattended child in a car, don’t hesitate to call 911. You may save a life.
For additional information on how to keep your kids safe in and around cars, see www.kidsandcars.org. Have a safe and happy summer!
Great suggestions to prevent tragedy.