August is one of the hottest months of the year throughout North America. Heat related illnesses causes more weather related deaths than tornadoes or hurricane, according to the National Weather Service. Recently on KTHV Little Rock Channel 11, Dan Christensen, CIH, CSP with CTEH® discussed heat stroke in children. According to Kidsandcars.com the average number of children dying in hot cars since 1998 is equivalent to one child ever nine days. There are a multitude of factors that come in to play as to why these numbers are increasing; it could be change of routine, exhausted parents, or a curious child that lets himself into a car to name a few. However, the important thing to note is that children’s body temperatures increase 3 to 5 times faster than an adults. So let’s “Look Before We Lock” and help prevent heat stroke of even death in children.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has good tips on how to prevent these tragedies:
•Never leave a child in a car unattended!
•If you do see a child alone in a hot car, call 911 immediately! The child should be removed from the car as quickly as possible and cooled down.
•Put something you need—a cell phone, computer, shoe—in the backseat and keep a stuffed animal in the front seat to remind yourself that a child is in the car.
•Store keys out of a child’s reach and always keep the doors locked to prevent kids from getting into the car without your knowledge.
•And remember, always follow the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s motto, “Look before you lock.”
