In & Around Cars
When temperatures rise, so does the risk of an unthinkable tragedy of kids accidentally left strapped
in a car seat and dying from excessive heat exposure (hyperthermia). Parents and relatives aren't the only ones who forget a child in the back seat while going to work or running errands; each year there are reports of child care providers who accidentally leave kids in a child care bus or van. According to an Associated Press analysis, the number of incidents of child heat exhaustion deaths from being left in a hot car has risen dramatically since the mid-1990s.
Having a visual reminder, such as a pacifier or other small baby item on your keychain, can help to make sure you don't leave your child in a hot car. other ideas include: A sticky note with the word "baby" stuck on the dash, or even a small picture of baby placed in a highly prominent position that the driver can't overlook.
Child care center operators driving multiple children can utilize body counts, two-part tagging systems (where a driver collects one part as kids board a bus and then re-distributes them when they exit), or a simple name roster check-in/check-out system to offer additional safety assurance.
Parents can set up a simple "reminder" system for babysitters, grandparents or other relatives watching their young kids as a memory jogger as well.
For more information about safety in and around vehicles, visit Safe Kids USA's webpage on the campaign to Never Leave Your Child Alone.
Additional Links:
Behind the Wheel Driver Education: Learn to Drive!
www.floridaoprc.ce.ufl.edu
www.doh.state.fl.us/demo/InjuryPrevention/index.html