Parents, Look Before You Lock Your Car
With busy schedules rushing from one place to the next, it's easy for parents to get distracted and forget their little ones are sitting quietly in the back of the car. It takes just minutes for the temperatures inside cars to reach deadly heights, particularly with South Florida's year round hot weather. In fact, heatstroke in vehicles is the leading cause of all non-crash-related fatalities involving children 14 and younger. Especially vulnerable, are children four and under because their bodies overheat more quickly. Florida ranks 4th in the U.S. in the number of hyperthermia deaths of children in vehicles. Not surprising, even with a window rolled down a few inches, if the outside temperature is in the low 80s, as if often the case in Florida, the temperature inside a vehicle can ready deadly levels in as little as 10 minutes.
Let's prevent these preventable incidences from occurring. Sadly, children die every year from being left in the car, and others have sustained serious injuries. The Look Before You Lock campaign provides a roadmap for parents to ensure their kids are safe.
Ways To Protect Your Children:
- Place a brief case or purse in the back seat and always check the back seat before you lock the car.
- Obtain an alarm system or use free apps on your phone that can alert you when your child has been left in the car.
- Do not let your children play near vehicles; they may accidentally lock themselves in.
- If there is a change in plans and someone else is dropping the kids off at summer camp, have them call you at drop off so you know everyone made it safely.
If you see children left in a car, please contact emergency personnel. Your quick action may save a life.
The Children's Services Council of Broward County is an independent taxing authority which was established by a public referendum on September 5, 2000, and reauthorized via referendum on November 4, 2014, which, through Public Act, Chapter 2000-461 of the laws of Florida, authorized the Council to levy up to 0.5 mills of property taxes. The role of the Council is to provide the leadership, advocacy and resources necessary to enhance children's lives and empower them to become responsible, productive adults through collaborative planning and funding of a continuum of quality care. To learn more about programs and services the Children's Services Council funds, please call (954) 377-1000.
Above content provided by Children's Services Council of Broward County
