San Andreas - Vehicle heat related deaths in California have already
claimed two children in 2014. These
deaths are preventable. Calaveras Public
Health Services is issuing this reminder to all residents that provide
transportation to children. It does not take a heat wave for the risk of heat
illness and death to be present for those who are most vulnerable – children,
severely disabled and frail seniors.
Pets are also at risk of heat illness and death if left in a vehicle for
even a short period of time.
A child’s body temperature rises 3 – 5 times faster than an
adult’s body temperature. Even with the
windows of a vehicle rolled part way down, the inside temperature can reach 125 degrees in just
minutes. What contributes to children
being left in a car alone?
·
Parents/caregivers rush into a store
to do a quick errand leaving the child in the vehicle.
·
Parents/caregivers forget a child is
in the vehicle.
·
Young children playing in an
unlocked vehicle accidentally get locked in the trunk.
Children less than
three years of age account for more than 80% of heat related child deaths in
the U.S. each year. One of the major errors parents make is thinking it could
never happen to them.
“Vehicle heat related
deaths happen every year in California and they can be prevented,” stated Dr.
Dean Kelaita, County Health Officer.
“There are steps each of us can take to be sure no child in Calaveras
County dies this year,” added Kelaita.
The following tips can help save lives whether you have children or not:
Parents & Caregiver Reminders
·
Never leave children alone in or
around cars; not even for a minute.
·
Put something you'll need when you
leave the vehicle, like your cellphone, handbag, employee ID or briefcase,
etc., in the backseat.
·
Make it a habit to always open the
backdoor of your vehicle every time you reach your destination to make sure no
child has been left. This is the “Look
Before You Lock” campaign.
·
Keep a large stuffed animal in the
child’s car seat when it is not occupied.
When the child is in the seat, put the stuffed animal in the front
passenger seat as a reminder that your child is in the back.
·
Tell your child’s day care center or
baby sitter that you will always call if you child will not be there on a
scheduled day.
Safety Tips for Everyone
·
Keep vehicles locked at all times,
even in the garage or driveway. Ask
visitors to do the same.
·
Never leave vehicle keys or remote
openers within reach of children.
·
If a child is missing, check all
vehicles immediately.
·
If you see a child left alone in a
vehicle call 911. If they are hot or seem sick, get them out as
quickly as possible and stay with them until help arrives.
For more information about ways to keep children safe in the
heat, visit www.KidsAndCars.org or call the Child Passenger Safety and Car Seat Program,
Calaveras Public Health Services at 209.754.6460.