Hot Car Deaths: Why You Shouldn’t Leave Your Child in the Car Alone

Leaving your child behind in the car to run some errands could be a dangerous ordeal, especially when it is hot. You might innocently lock your child in the car for safety but you could find them dead when you return. Hot car deaths, as it is commonly called, has claimed the lives of many children globally. Here is a bit about hot car deaths, how it happens, and measures you can take to prevent it from happening to your child.

When it is hot, children’s bodies heat much faster than adults. This is why fevers in children are dangerous and must be controlled. The temperature inside a car can rise fast and cause heatstrokes, making a child’s little body unable to handle it. Once a child’s body temperature reaches 40 degrees, their major organs start to shut down.

Hot car deaths have also happened to children whose caregivers unknowingly left them in the car. It might sound abnormal to forget your child in the car but it has happened to other parents and can also happen to you.

How to Prevent Hot Car Deaths

1. Make it a habit to take a second look inside your car before getting out and locking it.
2. Educate your kids about the dangers of locking themselves inside the car. Make it clear to them that the car is not a safe place for them to play.
3. It is rare, but also possible, to forget that you have a child in the car when you step out. To avoid this, place a reminder somewhere visible to remind you of the child in the car. Something like a teddy bear or a toy would be perfect. You can also place one of your most important items like a wallet, laptop, or briefcase in the back seat.
4. Another way to prevent hot car deaths is to always lock the doors and keep the keys and key fobs out of children’s reach. Even if you don’t have children, your neighbour’s children may access your car.

Conclusion

Hot car deaths are preventable tragedies that should never happen to any child. You should always know your children’s whereabouts and restrict them from getting into the car when they are alone.