As temperatures continue to soar in the Midwest, Kids and Car Safety joined safety partners Charlie’s House yesterday to talk about preventing hot car deaths and injuries at a press event held in Kansas City, MO. The event was a part of the Kids and Car Safety’s ‘Childproof Your Ride’ program funded by State Farm Insurance.
Since 1990, over 1,000 children have died in hot cars and at least another 7,300 survived with varying types and severities of injuries, according to data collected by Kids and Car Safety. Already this year at least 6 children have died in hot cars. These are not only predictable, but also preventable tragedies.
The majority of hot car fatalities involve children who were unknowingly left by an otherwise loving, responsible parent or caregiver (56%). Additionally, about a fourth (26%) of children who die in hot cars got into the car on their own and became trapped, of which 68% were little boys. Eighty-seven percent of children who die in hot cars are age 3 or younger.
Safety advocates are encouraging the public to take extra precautions with the extreme heat that continues throughout the Midwest and any time they’re experiencing a change in routine. Families can create habits to protect their children using Kids and Car Safety’s Look Before You Lock safety checklist.
