If you see a child in a hot car, act fast.
During the Covid pandemic, 25 children lost their lives after being left in hot cars. Statistics show that infants and toddlers under three are at the highest risk of dying if left in a hot car.
Most child deaths caused by over heated cars are due to children being forgotten about or because they crawled into the car without their parent knowing and got trapped.
A very small percentage of children die in hot cars because their parents think it’s safe to leave them there.
Now that it’s extremely humid in Ireland and temperatures are rising, it’s important to take these tips onboard.
Today have outlined the best tips to prevent child deaths in hot cars so take note.
Look before you lock
Before you get out of the car, lock it and walk away, open the back doors and look inside. Children can sneak into the cars without parents knowing and hide as a practical joke so always be weary.
Always keep something you need in back seat so you’re reminded to open the back doors and look.
Some parents even bring a stuffed toy in the car with them and place them in the passenger seat to act as a reminder that there’s a child onboard.
Put the car keys away
This may seem super straight forward and simple and it is, but many parents don’t do it.
When you come in from the car, hang the keys up high or put them away in a designated drawer. This way your children won’t be able to reach them and explore the car.
If they can’t get near the car, a fatal incident will never happen.
Always lock your car
When you step out of your car and are certain there’s no child left behind, lock your car.
This will prevent any child from sneaking into it for a game of hide and seek or out of curiosity. It’s always a good idea.
Have a plan with your child minder or childcare provider
This is a very important safety step that all parents should adopt.
If your child doesn’t show up to childcare on a given day with no prior notice, your child minder should contact either you, your partner, a grandparent or someone very close to the child.
Arranging this with your childcare service will mean if anything should happen to your child, help will be contacted quickly.
If you see a child in a hot car, do something
Even if you’re minding your own business out for a walk, parking the car at a shopping centre, whatever you’re doing, if you see a child sitting in a hot car, act fast.
