Five.
The number of children that have been lost to heatstroke deaths in 2020.
- Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 2020: 5
- Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 2019: 52
- Total number of U.S. pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths, 1998-present: 854
- Average number of U.S. child heatstroke fatalities per year 1998-2019: 39
(Reported data as of 6/21/2020, according to )
We read the news articles and watch the stories on the evening news. Many of us are appalled. How could a parent forget their own child in the back seat? You would never do that. It could never happen to us. Right?
Truth is, it can happen to anyone. Even you. It's a very real, brain-related phenomenon when your routine/habit is changed, which you can read more about here. But there are ways to combat it. Ways you can do your best at making sure it never happens to you and your family.
With the weather really starting to heat up, here are six simple tips to help make sure your child or does not become part of this statistic.
- Ask your child's caregiver or school to call you if your child is not dropped off at the regular time. Ask them not to assume that you will call later in the day to explain an absence. A timely call can save a life.
- Throw your left shoe in the back seat. When you get to work, getting your shoe from the back will serve as a reminder of your child in their seat.
- Put the diaper bag in the front seat. Chances are when you see that visual cue, you'll be reminded of your precious cargo in the back.
- Put your purse, briefcase, or cell phone in the back seat. This can compliment #2 as a reminder that you have your child in the car.
- Make "look before you leave" a routine whenever you get out of the car. It may take some time for this to become part of your routine, but once you get it down, it'll become second nature.
- Always lock your vehicle after you exit. This can prevent children from reentering an unlocked vehicle at a later time, and becoming trapped in a hot car.
It's important to remember is that when a car is parked in the sun, the temperature can climb quickly. At 80 degrees outside, the inside of a car parked in direct sunlight can quickly climb to over 100 degrees in as little as 10 minutes.
Many parents have come up with their own ways to make sure their child is not left in a hot, unattended car.
Vehicular heatstroke deaths are preventable. Take precautions and always look before you leave!
