Heat Stroke Safety Tips for parents & Caregivers

Kids in hot cars are a deadly combination. Whether intentional or accidental, these deaths are preventable, which makes it all the more tragic. Here are some helpful tips to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

 

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Remember:

  • Never leave a child alone in a parked car, even with the windows rolled down, or air conditioning on. Children’s body temperature can heat up 3 to 5 times faster than adults. A core temperature of 107 is lethal.
  • Always look in both the front and back of the vehicle before locking the door and walking way.
  • Heatstroke can occur in temperatures as low as 57 degrees. On an 80-degree day, temperatures inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels in just 10 minutes.
  • Never let children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them a vehicle is not a play area.
  • Always lock your vehicle doors and trunk and keep the keys out of a child’s reach. If a child is missing, quickly check all vehicles, including the trunk.
  • Is dropping a child off not part of your normal routine? Come up with some ways to remind yourself that the child is in the car.
  • Place an item that you keep on you, like a briefcase or purse, in the back seat next to the car seat, so that you’ll always check the back seat before you leave the car.
  • Call your spouse after you drop the child off to make sure you didn’t forget.
  • Have daycare call you if your child doesn’t show up.
  • Write a note and place it on the dashboard of the car. Or set a reminder on your cell phone or calendar. You can also download the Baby Reminder App for iPhones.

If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle:

  • Always make sure the child is okay and responsive. If not, call 911 immediately.
  • If the child appears okay, you should attempt to locate the parents; or have the facility’s security or management page the car owner over the PA system.
  • If the child is not responsive and appears in great distress, attempt to get into the car to assist the child, even if that means breaking a window.

Remember: kids in hot cars are a deadly combination. Don’t take the chance.

Look before you lock.

07-16-15
10:30 hrs

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