Child deaths in non-crash car accidents prompt NHTSA report

Posted by Bruce Westbrook

June 17, 2009

In ancient times before cell phones, texting and other multi-tasks put safe driving in the back seat for too many people, we were often warned about leaving pets in a locked car on a hot day. But these days, even small children who are already in the back seat can be subjected to such dangerous indifference by distracted drivers who leave them in a car.

Across America, children are dying because parents or guardians who are in too big of a hurry or too much of a multi-tasking fog forget and leave them locked in a car as temperatures climb toward 100 degrees. Such a sad child death happened again Sunday in St. Augustine, Fla. Don’t let it happen on any day to the child for whom you are utterly responsible.

How great of a problem is this? We’re glad you asked. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has just issued a report on the topic, in which it finds that a child can die inside a hot car in 10 minutes, even if the windows are slightly rolled down. And often in such tragedies, a child is left for several hours, if not all day.

Indeed, the NHTSA has found that hyperthermia, or heat stroke, is the leading cause of children’s death in non-crash incidents. Other causes include strangulation, carbon monoxide poisoning and drivers backing over a child in a driveway.

In all, on average 262 children are killed and another 115,000 kids are injured yearly in non-crash car accidents on private property, driveways and parking lots. That’s a terrible toll to be exacted by adults simply not paying close enough attention.

Especially as summer temperatures climb, but certainly at any time of year, parents and guardians of small children must respect the enormous responsibility they have when a child is in their care. The NHTSA urges them not to leave any child alone in a car, regardless of whether its windows or up or down, or whether the ignition is on and the air conditioning is running. Too many things can go wrong — and do.

The NHTSA also stresses the simple but effective rule that anytime a parent leaves a vehicle, he or she checks it to ensure that no child has been left behind. That’s particularly vital when one parent must break routine and, say, drop off a child at a day care center. If the parent forgets to do so and leaves the child unattended in a locked car, the child could die. It’s that serious.

From the Safe Kids organization to the Joint City-County Commission on Children in Houston and Harris County, Jim S. Adler & Associates is dedicated to protecting children from accidents of any kind. Visit our website for more helpful information and tips on protecting kids, and let’s all work toward an accident-free life for America’s young innocents.

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