Summer Safety for Children

Summer Safety by Prevent Child Abuse Florida

Heatstroke is one of the leading causes of death among children. Unfortunately, even great parents can forget a child in the back seat. Other risk factors include caregivers who aren’t used to driving kids or whose routine suddenly changes.

Whether you’re a parent, caregiver or bystander of a child left in a car, it’s vitally important to understand children are more vulnerable to heatstroke than adults. Follow these important rules and tips to protect children from heatstroke:

Always Look Before You Lock

Always check the back seats of your vehicle before your lock it and walk away.
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.
If someone else is driving your child, or your daily routine has been altered, always check to make sure your child has arrived safely.
Keep in Mind a Child’s Sensitivity to Heat
In 10 minutes, a car’s temperature can rise over 20 degrees.
Even at an outside temperature of 60 degrees, the temperature inside your car can reach 110 degrees.
A child dies when his/her body temperature reaches 107 degrees.

Understand the Potential Consequences of Kids in Hot Cars

Severe injury or death
Being arrested and jailed
A lifetime of regret

TAKE ACTION if You Notice a Child Alone in a Car!

If you see a child alone in a car, don’t worry about getting involved in someone else’s business-protecting children is everyone’s business; besides, “Good Samaritan” laws offer legal protection for those who offer assistance in an emergency.

Here’s What You Can Do