Hot as an Oven!

Link to Spanish version.

Never leave a child alone in a car - not even for a minute!

If the outside temperature is 101°, the temperature inside a parked car can reach 120° within 10 minutes.

49 children died from heat exposure last year in the U.S.

• Dial 911 immediately if you see an unattended child in a car. EMS professionals are trained to determine if a child is in trouble.
• A car is not a babysitter -- Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows slightly open.
• It is against the law in Oklahoma to leave your child unattended in a vehicle.

Routines and distractions have caused people to mistakenly leave children behind in cars.

• Place an item that is to be carried from the car, such as a cell phone, purse, briefcase, or gym bag, on the floor in front of the child in the back-seat. This triggers adults to see children when they open the rear door and reach for their belongings.
• Be especially careful if you change your routine for dropping off children at daycare. Have a plan with your daycare if your child is late that you will be called within a few minutes.
• Set your cell phone or Blackberry to remind you to drop your child off at daycare.
• Set your computer calendar program, such as Outlook, to ask, “Did you drop off your child at daycare today?”

Prevent trunk entrapment

• Teach children not to play in any vehicle.
• Lock all vehicle doors and trunk after everyone has exited the vehicle--especially at home.
• Keep keys out of the reach of children.
• Check vehicles and trunks immediately if a child is missing. (If you have a pool, check the pool first.)

Injury Prevention Service, OSDH, 1000 NE 10th Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73117
Revised July 2012

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