Reduce the number of deaths from heatstroke by remembering to ACT.
- Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving a child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not inside so kids don’t get in on their own.
- Create reminders. Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car seat when it’s empty and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat. Or place and secure your phone, briefcase or purse in the backseat when traveling with your child.
- Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations.
Hard Facts about Heatstroke
- 54% of child heatstroke deaths occur because a caregiver has forgotten the child in the car
- More than 26% of pediatric heatstroke deaths occur because children gained access to cars on their own. Parents and caregivers remember to lock your car and put your keys up and away, every time, to keep kids from getting into cars.
- A car can heat up 19 degrees in just 10 minutes. And cracking a window doesn’t help.
- Young children are particularly at risk, as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult’s.
If you are in the Atlanta area, join us for the upcoming 11th anniversary of the Digital Dash 5k on August 24th. A signature event that benefits Safe Kids Georgia, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and Bert’s Big Adventure!
The post was prepared by Safe Kids Georgia Intern Debbie Mekonnen.
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