You may think that everyone would know something that is so simple and should be common sense to people but, educating people on never leaving their children unattended in a vehicle. People tend to forget to take kids out of the car with them to run errands because they simply get too busy or don’t want to go through the trouble for a quick trip to the bank or market.
In 2000, six-month-old Kaitlyn Marie Russell died after she was left in a hot van. Now, Kaitlyn’s Law prohibits parents from leaving kids under the age of six in a car without the supervision of at least a 12-year-old. In January of 2002, Kaitlin’s Law made it illegal to leave your kids unattended in a vehicle. Too many children were dying because of hyperthermia, the car turns into an oven especially during the hot months of the year. The children are really vulnerable to their bodies overheating quickly.
Unfortunately a law had to be made to make this kind of thing illegal because it was happening way too often than everyone would think.
According to the Department of Human Services, 21 children across the country–and two in California–have died from overheating in cars already in 2018. On average, 37 children nationwide die this way annually.
Experts say it takes just ten minutes for the temperature inside a car to rise 20 degrees higher than the air outside. In addition, a child’s body can warm five times faster than an adult’s.
Not only is leaving children in cars a hazard, according to kidsandcars.org, vehicles back over at least 50 children every week. The accidents come from not noticing small children in the blind spot.
The Department of Human Services urges drivers to walk around their cars before starting the engine and keep toys out of your driveway to ensure kids aren’t playing there.
They also recommend creating a reminder for yourself by putting a cell phone, wallet, or purse next to your child in the backseat. And, always lock your car so kids can’t get in accidentally.
If you see an unattended child in a vehicle, just call 911.
Signing out...
Destiny C. Shaw MD
aka
Big Sister On Point
