Avoiding Heatstroke
Following up from our last post on heatstroke, remember that even in 10 minutes a car heats up 20 degrees. It is never okay to leave your child alone in a car.
According to healthy children, “Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths in children under 15.” However, these deaths are absolutely avoidable.
How to Prevent
Here are some reminders to avoid and prevent heatstroke in a vehicle from happening:
- Before getting out of the car, make sure to always check your backseat
- Put your cellphone, bag or purse in the back seat so that you check the back seat once you have arrived.
- Ensure kids do not have easy access to car keys. Store them out of a Childs reach.
- Make sure your car is kept locked while parked so a child does not curiously enter the car
- Teach children cars are not a safe place to play
Tip: If a child is missing, always check the pool first, and then the car
Another great tip offer by NHTSA to avoid heatstroke in a vehicle with children is to, “Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car seat when it’s empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat.”
If you see a Child in the Car Alone
If you see a child alone in a car: “[and they] appear to be okay, attempt to locate the parents; if at a public place, have the facility page the car owner over an intercom system.” Stay with the child until help arrives
Tips offered by healthychildren.org:
If the child is not responsive or is in pain, immediately:
- Call 911
- Get the child out of the car
- Spray the child with cool water (Not in an ice bath)
Follow this link to our last post on the dangers of heatstroke https://glissonlaw.com/heatstroke-danger/