We’re getting weather temps creeping into the 90s and the heat brings about increased risks for heatstroke, hyperthermia and other heat-related child injuries in Hallandale and elsewhere.
To help raise awareness about the problem and to help to get parents, caregivers, babysitters and other childcare providers to keep a close eye on children during this time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is launching a new campaign, “Where’s baby? Look before you lock.” These kinds of accidents are actually the number one cause of non-crash, vehicle related fatalities for kids 13-years-old and younger. In just 2011, there were more than 30 of these fatal accidents reported.
“This campaign is a call-to-action for parents and families, but also for everyone in every community that cares about the safety of children,” said Ray LaHood, the USDOT Transportation Secretary.
Our Hollandale car accident lawyers understand that drivers don’t usually consider heatstroke and hyperthermia when talking about car accidents. But the truth of the matter is that these are very real threats and take the lives of far too many children every year. These accidents are completely preventable with a little bit of awareness. During the next few weeks, the NHTSA will be launching a number of online and radio ads to push the message of the “Where’s baby? Look before you lock,” campaign. The campaign is urging adults who transport children to check the car before getting out, locking it up and walking away. These kinds of accidents happen to all walks of life. Don’t think you’re safe.
Researchers with the NHTSA will be looking into after-market products designed to help adults remember children in the vehicle. Later in the summer, the findings and the ratings of these devices will be released.
While there were more than 30 fatalities reported because these kinds of accidents in 2011, the number of injuries resulting from these incidents is unknown. Some of the injuries that can result from leaving a child in a car can be a loss of hearing, a loss of eyesight and irreversible brain damage.
To help to prevent these kinds of accidents, the NHTSA offers the following tips:
-Adults are urged to never leave a kid alone in the car. It’s even extremely unsafe to leave a kid in the car with the air conditioning on full blast and the windows cracked.
-Adults are to make it a habit of looking throughout the car, for children, before getting out, locking the door and walking away.
-Parents and guardians should ask their childcare provider, daycare center or babysitter to alert them immediately if their child does not show up when expected.
-Place things in the front seat to remind you to turn around and check the car before getting out. An easy way to remember is to keep your purse, your briefcase, your cell phone or another important object in the back seat to force yourself to turn around and view the backseat before getting out.
-Keep you household’s car keys out of sight and out of reach of children.
Our South Florida personal injury attorney at Freeman & Mallard understand the enormous trust a family places in us when we are chosen to represent a child who has been seriously injured or killed in an auto accident. Through our service to our clients in Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Hallandale, Port St. Lucie/Ft. Pierce and the nearby communities, we take great care in fighting for the rights of each family we accept the honor and responsibility of representing. Call us to schedule a free and no-obligation appointment to discuss your rights at 1-800-561-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Three Children Dead on Turnpike in South Florida Car Accident, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, April 16, 2011
Miramar hot-car death illustrates safety issues for South Florida’s youngest passengers, Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Attorney Blog, October 9, 2010