Last week, an 18 month old toddler died in Panama City, Florida when she was left in the car while her mother was at work. Her mother arrived at work at 7:30, and forgot that her daughter was in the back seat. She didn’t return to her car until 3:15 that afternoon, and it was already too late. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
It may be hot outside, but inside a car it’s even hotter. On days where temperatures reach 80 to 100 degrees, the temperatures inside the car can get up to 172 degrees. These temperatures Children’s bodies heat up 3 to 5 times faster than adults.
This is the third child-left-in-hot-car related death reported already this year. The first happened in April near Phoenix, and another in May near Lake City, Florida. Last year, nearly 30 children were killed by this cause.
When many read about these incidents, they think to themselves that they could never do that…how could anyone forget that their child is in the car? But it can happen. Some people suggest putting something in the backseat that you need to take in with you, so you’re forced to open the back door and see your child.
If you have your child while you’re running errands, take them in with you everywhere you go. It doesn’t matter how sound they’re sleeping, comfortable they look, or how short you’re going to be gone. Don’t leave your children in a hot car. Not even for one minute.
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