According to Safe Kids Worldwide® - since 1998, at least 606 children, roughly one child every 10 days on average, have died from heatstroke when left unattended in a vehicle or after gaining access to an unattended vehicle. Nearly 90% of these children were age three and under. Safe Kids Worldwide offers that the number of deaths from heatstroke can be reduced by remembering to “ACT.”
- A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. And make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own.
- C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially important if you’re not following your normal routine.
- T: 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. One call could save a life.