While they are completely preventable, tragic heatstroke deaths from leaving a child in a car continue to be a problem year after year. So far in 2015, 11 infants and toddlers have lost their life by being left in a car.* In order to bring awareness to and educate on this issue, St. Mary’s & Safe Kids Coalition of Vanderburgh/Warrick County will be hosting a demonstration at St. Mary’s Market Days to showcase how hot the interior of a car can reach on a sunny day. The demonstration will be Thursday, July 30 from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the north end of the market. Safe Kids volunteers will use a device to measure and display the inside and outside temperature of a car and will offer information on preventing heatstroke deaths.
July and August are the months with the highest average number of deaths from heatstroke. With a continued rise in the number of near misses (children that were saved because a bystander took action or the family remembered in time) now is the time to ACT. Keep these tips in mind in advance on National Heatstroke Prevention Day on July 31 and all year long.
A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. Make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.
C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.
