Safe Kids Worldwide and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have teamed up to make July 31, 2014 National Heatstroke Prevention Day.
According to safekids.org, 17 children have already lost their lives this year as a result of being left in a hot car, with six of them occurring this month. Although the number of deaths has decreased in recent years, it still demonstrates a continued problem with parents leaving their children in cars in warm or hot weather. Children are particularly at risk, because their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults.
James M. Kessel, an attorney at the law firm of Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen, firmly believes in this campaign's efforts and its purpose for having this nationally recognized day. "Education and awareness is the key," says Kessel. "We need to make sure parents and caregivers understand the dangers of leaving children in cars to prevent tragedies like those we've heard about on the news recently from happening in the future," Kessel said.
According to Safe Kids Worldwide, the number one cause of death in children in the US is preventable injuries. In order to reduce these tragedies from occurring, the NHTSA and Safe Kids Worldwide encourage everyone to visit safekids.org for safety and prevention tips.
"I have two small boys, and while they're normally noisy enough to make it impossible for me to forget that they're riding in the back seat, I always leave something I will need at my destination, such as files or even a drink, between their car seats or on the floor behind my seat," said Kessel. "That way even if they fall asleep I have a reason to check the back seat before locking and leaving my vehicle."
Please help raise awareness by celebrating National Heatstroke Prevention day! Visit trafficsafetymarketing.gov/CAMPAIGNS/Child+Car+Seats/Heatstroke+Prevention.
Source: Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen, allenandallen.com
