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Summer Safety Alert

Every summer we hear tragic reports of children dying from overheated temperatures after being left unattended in a car. Parents, babysitters and other caregivers need to understand the dangers of leaving young children in a car.

In a poll conducted by the National Safe Kids Campaign and General Motors, one in five young parents still believe it is acceptable to leave kids alone in or around a motor vehicle. The report cited at least 150 child deaths from 1996 to 2001. Ninety percent of the deaths involved children three years and under.

On a sunny day, temperatures of just 60 degrees can make a parked vehicle with closed windows a dangerous oven within minutes. And, dark colored seats increase the heat conditions even further.

Within 20 minutes, air temperature in the nineties can heat up to 125 degrees in a closed vehicle. Within 40 minutes, that same temperature can rise to 140 degrees.

A young child's core body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's. Because heat affects children more quickly and severely than adults, children are especially vulnerable to brain damage and death.

Here are some ways parents and other caregivers can protect young children from dangerous car situations:

·  Lock your vehicles at all times, even in the driveway or garage. Young children can climb inside and become trapped, unable to get out.

·  Never leave a child alone in a parked car, even with the windows down.

·  Teach children not to play in or around cars. Keep car keys out of children's reach and sight.

·  Plan to take children with you while running errands, or make arrangements for them to be left in a caring environment with a competent person.

·  When making plans with other parents, consider and discuss arrangements that may be needed for all children involved.

·  Consider contacting your car dealership to get your car fitted with a trunk release mechanism.

For more information about child safety issues, visit the National Safe Kids website.