Did you know that every year at least fifty American children die after being left in hot cars? Pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths are a devastating reality in the US, according to NoHeatStroke.org.
Parents need to remain vigilant about the continuous danger of children and pets dying in hot cars. And it’s not just a concern in the summer months. Consumer Reports testing showed that even when it was 61° F outside, the temperature inside a closed car reached more than 105° F in just 1 hour, an extremely dangerous and potentially fatal level for a child.
Free Car Door Unlocking When Child Locked Inside
Pop-A-Lock, founded in 1991 by law enforcement officers, developed a program that rescues children in locked vehicles. Since the program began in 1995, thousands of children have been rescued from across the U.S. at no charge to families or caregivers. The PAL Saves Kids program focuses on prevention and education — not blame. Pop-A-Lock of Kentucky has saved many children’s lives by participating in this program!
Here are some tips to help prevent children from being locked in a vehicle:
- Keep your child’s favorite toy, blanket, or diaper bag in the front seat.
- Place your purse or briefcase in the backseat causing you to go to the back to retrieve them.
- Stay off the phone! Keep your focus on driving.
- If someone other than yourself is bringing the child to your caregiver, call them at a designated time to ensure delivery.
- If you see a child locked in a vehicle unattended, get involved. Call 9-1-1 immediately!
We can all work together to share this valuable information. For more details on how to keep your little ones safe, go to KidsandCars.org.
