July 31, 2024
Parents and guardians of young kids forget things – from the diaper bag to their own phone number. That’s normal – parents are running on little sleep, tight schedules and a steady diet of dino chicken nuggets. But no matter if you forget the pacifier or the baby wipes, you never want to forget your child.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 970 children have died of heatstroke because they were forgotten or trapped in a hot vehicle. It’s tragic – and it can happen to anyone.
It’s never okay to leave your child unattended in the car – even for a short stop. Kids’ body temperatures rise 3-5x faster than adults, and hot car deaths can happen in temperatures as low as 60 degrees.
So, what can you do?
Make a Plan Up Front for Backseat Children.
- Leave a personal item like a shoe, cell phone, purse, wallet or backpack in the backseat. Make sure it’s something you can’t leave without, so you’ll remember to check the back.
- Set a recurring alarm on your phone to check the backseat in the morning and after work.
- Ask your daycare to call if your child doesn’t arrive.
- Keep your child’s shoe in your lap while driving as a visual reminder.
- Don’t rely solely on vehicle sensors with alerts and alarms. These can create a false sense of confidence, and adults may ignore the alerts over time.
- Many kids are forgotten when there’s a change in routine, like a parent doing daycare drop-off who typically doesn’t. Our brains tend to go on autopilot with daily habits, so be aware of these changes and use a reminder system.
- If you notice a child alone in a car, call 911 right away.
No one thinks they’ll leave their child in a hot car. But it can happen to anyone. So cut yourself some slack for forgetting blankie – just don’t forget baby.
More Ways to Keep Kids Safe.
In addition to heatstroke, young children face other unique dangers around vehicles. Whether you’re a parent or not, we can all work to prevent child deaths.
Beware of Hypothermia In Cold Cars.
A cold vehicle is just as dangerous as a hot one. Never leave your child unattended, no matter the season or the length of time you’ll be gone. Use the same tips for heatstroke to prevent hypothermia deaths.
Prevent Back-Over & Front-Over Fatalities.
Kids are harder to see around cars, especially SUVs, crossovers and pick-ups with larger blind spots. And it’s not just backovers you need to worry about. Many kids are hurt or killed in “frontover” incidents – when a driver is slowly moving forward but doesn’t see a child right in front of them.
- Check around your vehicle before you get in, walking fully around the perimeter.
- Don’t use your phone, and turn your radio off. Roll down the window to listen for kids.
- Check your mirrors frequently.
- Slow down and be prepared to stop. Mistakes happen in a hurry.
- Be aware of neighborhood children who might be riding bikes or playing nearby.
- Teach your children not to play near cars.
Choose the Right Child Seat.
The right car seat can mean the difference between life or death in a crash. Check our NHTSA’s car seat guidelines to ensure your kiddo is using the right seat for their height, weight and age.