NHTSA reminds caregivers of hot car death prevention importance

(KOAM) -- The U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Region 7 is reminding people the importance child hot car prevention with a "Once You Park; Stop. Look. Lock." campaign.

NHTSA Region 7 includes Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa, and Nebraska.

According to the NHTSA, 15 children have died in a hot car this year and 10 of those heatstroke deaths happened in July.

“On average, one child dies from heatstroke every 10 days in the United States from being left in a car or crawling into an unlocked vehicle. What is most tragic is that every single one of these deaths could have been prevented,” said NHTSA Regional Administrator Susan DeCourcy. “Children do find their way into unlocked vehicles, so we also have to teach our children that the vehicle is not a playground and that playing in and around the car is dangerous,”

NHTSA urges all parents and caregivers to do these three things to help prevent child heatstroke:

• When getting out of a car, make it a habit to look in the back seat EVERY time.
• NEVER leave a child in a vehicle unattended, even for a minute.
• ALWAYS lock the car and put the keys out of reach.

Warning signs of heatstroke include:

• Red, hot, and moist or dry skin
• Not sweating
• A strong rapid pulse or a slow weak pulse
• Nausea
• Confusion
• Acting strangely

The NHTSA says on August 1, 2024, they will be spreading awareness during a X blast on the NHTSA X official page.

For more information visit the NHTSA website or click here.

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