According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 701 children have been fatally injured due to heatstroke in the past 19 years after being left in a hot vehicle. While it’s easy to chalk these deaths up to negligent parents making their kids wait outside in a hot car while they run errands, many of them actually occurred when an unattended child climbed into a vehicle or when a child was accidentally left in a vehicle.
The NHTSA has tips to help you protect your family from the dangers associated with heatstroke in vehicles. Don’t forget to look out for your pets and older loved ones in addition to the little ones in your life, as extreme temperatures can affect these parties quickly.
- Get into the habit of checking the back seats of your car before locking it and walking away.
- Keep your keys out of reach of children; approximately 3/10 heatstroke fatalities occur when a child who is unattended gets into a vehicle.
- If your routine changes or someone else drives your child somewhere, make sure your child arrives safely.
Exercise caution to make sure your children are safe no matter the temperature. Vehicles can get very hot even on days when the temperature is relatively mild. Never leave your children unattended in a vehicle.
If you or a loved one has been injured due to heatstroke, contact the Schuerman Law office today. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. John Schuerman will compassionately advocate for injured individuals as well as their families while fighting for full compensation of their claims. Schuerman Law offers evening and weekend appointments in addition to home and hospital visits. Schedule a free consultation today by calling 1-800-274-0045.
