By David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network
A problem that has been reported throughout the United States involves hot car deaths and heatstrokes resulting from leaving a child unattended in a vehicle that is turned off. Some child care providers leave children in a vehicle for a quick errand and see no harm in leaving a child alone in a vehicle for a few minutes which is all that is needed to cause serious permanent injuries or even the death of a child. In some instances, the child is left unattended in a vehicle due to inattention and other matters occupying the mind of the parent, child care provider, or other person. Incidents involving hot care deaths can be prevented. Whatever reminder system can be put into place – the impact can be quite dramatic if even one child is spared the horrendous end of life mistake by another person by leaving the child unattended in a vehicle.
Safe Kids is a National Organization dedicated to safety promotion and awareness. To prevent incident involving hot car deaths and heat stroke, Safe Kids have put out a Public Service Announcement as the following method / procedure:
A: Avoid heatstroke- related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car.
C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child, such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important when the normal routine is changing.
T: Take action. If there is a child alone in a car, call 911.
Yes, parents and child care providers should keep ACT in mind and put this simple but effective system in place for the safety and protection of children. See Heat Stroke Prevention.
The book titled – The ABCs of Child Injury – Legal Rights of the Injured Child – What Every Parent Should Know – has chapters on Day Care Center Injures, Automobile Accidents, Playground Injuries, and other topics. You can get this book for free at The ABCs of Child Injury.