On average, 37 children in America die in hot cars every year. That's one child every nine days.
Most parents don't think this will ever happen to them, but just two days ago an infant boy died in a hot car in New York.
That's an attitude the organization KidsAndCars.org is trying to change. It said something as little as a change in daily routine, such as lack of sleep, stress, fatigue or simple distractions are all reasons children have unknowingly been left alone in vehicles.
The group said this is dangerous because a child's body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster than an adult.
"One challenge we face is that parents don't see how they could leave their most prized possession, their child, in the backseat. However, this is the worst mistake a parent can make because this can happen to anyone," said Amber Andreasen, director of KidsAndCars.org.
The organization offers the following tips to parents:
- Make checking your backseat a habit
- Put something important, like a purse or cellphone, in the backseat
- Keep a stuffed animal in car seats. Put it in the front seat when the baby is in the back
- Ask your babysitter to call you if the child has not arrived
The organization also recommends the tool ResQme, which is small and can fit on your keychain. It works like a hole punch and can knock out a window in case your child is trapped in a hot car. KidsAndCars.org recommends you call authorities first.
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Belinda Post can be reached at belinda.post@kshb.com.
