Heat Advisory Brings With It Reminders To Check Cars For Kids

It’s a parent’s worst nightmare, but it happens every summer: Kids suffer heatstroke after being left in hot cars. In some cases, they even die.  Children’s safety advocates are working to help parents and other caregivers prevent such deaths.
According to Phyllis Larimore, a nurse and car seat safety specialist at Children’s Mercy Hospital, children left in cars can suffer fatal hyperthermia in just minutes, even when outside temperatures are mild. Often, the risk increases with a change in routine.

“Children have stopped going to school,” said Larimore. “There’s something new, or someone else is taking them to the daycare. These things happen across all socioeconomic strata, all types of parents.”

Larimore reminded parents that kids should not left alone in a car for even for a minute. Doors should be left locked so children don’t get into a vehicle on their own. She also recommended parents place something needed at a final destination, such as a purse or cell phone, in the back seat, as a further reminder of the child.  Larimore added that Children’s Mercy Hospitals and other groups are distributing stickers that read “Where’s Baby?”

“We ask the parent to put them where your hand touches as you’re closing your car door, on the driver’s side beside the lock,” explained Larimore. “Hopefully that will jar your attention.”

Nearly 400 children have died in hot cars in the past decade, according to KidsAndCars.org.  A Heat Advisory is in effect today from 11 AM to 9 PM, with heat idex readings up to 104 degrees possible.