"The worst thing any parent or caregiver can do is think that they could never unknowingly leave a child behind in a vehicle," says Janette Fennell, founder and president of KidsAndCars.org, the only national nonprofit child safety organization working solely to prevent injuries and deaths of children in and around vehicles. "This can and does happen to the most loving, responsible and attentive parents," she added. "With the weather heating up, we're taking every step possible to prevent children and seniors from being left alone in hot vehicles," said Chaka Burgess, Vice President of Government Relations at the AGA. "AGA is pleased to continue our partnership with Kids and Cars and expand our efforts to work with the fire community to advance our collective efforts." Since KidsAndCars.org began tracking data, at least 748 children have died from heatstroke inside vehicles. An average of 37 children die every year from vehicular heatstroke (one every 10 days). KidsAndCars.org is calling on the public to be prepared to take action to save a life. If you see a child alone in a car; get involved. Protecting children is everyone's business.
- Call 911
- Get the child out of the car.*
- Dampen the child with cool water (not in an ice bath) and get them to a cooler environment.
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