NEWS RELEASE

July 3, 2018

Contacts:
Janette Fennell, President & Founder, 415-336-9279, Janette@KidsAndCars.org
Amber Rollins, Director, 913-732-2792, Amber@KidsAndCars.org
21 U.S. Children Have Died in Hot Cars in 2018
KidsAndCars.org urges parents to ‘Look Before You Lock’ and be extra vigilant during holiday changes in routine
(Philadelphia, PA) - Already this year there have been 21 confirmed child vehicular heatstroke deaths in the United States. Every year on average, 37 children die in hot cars in our country. Last year 43 young children died.

These tragedies are predictable and preventable. KidsAndCars.org is urging parents and caregivers to be extra vigilant during the holiday week and when changes in the daily routine occur.

KidsAndCars.org president and founder Janette Fennell said, “We always see an increase in child injuries and deaths around holidays. It is devastating to know that there are families all across America right now holding their precious babies, unaware that they will lose them in a hot car this summer. But, these children don’t have to die. Parents and caregivers have the power to make sure that this doesn’t happen to them.”

Parents should implement the “Look Before You Lock” safety checklist that provides simple tips to protect their child. 
Look Before You Lock Safety Checklist 

Make sure your child is never left behind in the back seat of a car:
  • Make it a routine to open the back door of your car every time you park to check that no one has been left behind. 
  • Put something you need in the back seat to remind you to open the back door every time you park – cell phone, employee badge, handbag, work computer, etc. (The idea is if you leave the vehicle without this item, you would have to go back to get it.)
  • Ask your babysitter or child care provider to call you if your child hasn’t arrived as scheduled.
  • Keep a stuffed animal in baby’s car seat. Place it on the front passenger seat as a reminder when baby is in the back seat.

Make sure children cannot get into a parked car:
  • Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in the garage or driveway and even if you do not have children.
  • Keys and remote openers should never be left within reach of children.
  • If a child is missing, immediately check the passenger compartment and trunk of all vehicles in the area very carefully.

For more information on child hot car deaths, please contact KidsAndCars.org at (913-732-2792) or visit https://www.kidsandcars.org/how-kids-get-hurt/heat-stroke/ . 
About KidsAndCars.org:
Founded in 1996, KidsAndCars.org is the only national nonprofit child safety organization dedicated solely to preventing injuries and deaths of children in and around vehicles. KidsAndCars.org promotes awareness among parents, caregivers and the general public about the dangers to children, including backover and frontover incidents, underage driving and vehicular heatstroke. The organization works to prevent tragedies through data collection, education and public awareness, policy change and survivor advocacy.