Hyperthermia Is Still a Real Threat For Our Children

August 26, 2008

In the Houston area, a grand jury is considering whether or not it will charge the grandmother of a 3-year-old boy who died from being left in a car all day. Actually, 10 hours.

The grandmother was supposed to take the boy to day care, but forgot and left him in the car. When she was leaving work, she realized she had left him in the car and dialed 911. Temperatures in the area reached a high of 94 degrees that day.

I cannot tell you how much this saddens and angers me. It's so sad to lose a child to a completely preventable occurrence. And it angers me that this child suffered and died in a hot car because someone forgot him.

As the summer heat continues, please remember to check on your kids. Be paranoid about it when someone else is caring for them if you must. But don't leave ANY children (or pets) in a hot car. Not for a few minutes, and certainly not a few hours.

Do whatever it takes to remind yourself. Put your purse or bag in the back seat next to the child so when you get out, you have to get in the back and see them. Put a stuffed toy in the front seat, and when you take the child out, put the toy in the car seat. When it's in the front, it's a reminder that the child seat is occupied.

We've talked about hyperthermia many times, and as long as children keep dying from heat exposure, we'll keep writing about it. Parents, grandparents and caregivers, be extra vigilant during the hot weather. Don't go into autopilot and do things from habit. Be conscious of what you're doing and check on those kids!

Image: aussiegall

By Becky Scott
Contributing Editor