Summer hasn't arrived yet in the United States and already 5 children have died if heatstroke after being left alone inside a hot car, according kidsandcars.org.
A child dies every nine days from being left in a hot car, according to the organization that is trying to raise awareness and prevent more tragedy.
A boy died in Moraine last summer after being found inside a car.
April 26 is National Child Vehicular Heatstroke Awareness and Prevention Day.
What parents may not realize is how fast temperatures can rise in a car on an average temperature day. For example, a 70-degree day outside can mean temperatures of 125-degrees inside a car. Heatstroke can set in quickly in kids.
Steps to prevent leaving a child in a hot car:
- Put something in the back seat so you have to open the back door when leaving the vehicle - cellphone, employee badge, handbag, left shoe, etc.
- Every time you park your vehicle open the back door to make sure no one has been left behind. "Look Before You Lock."
- Ask your childcare provider or babysitter to call you within 10 minutes if your child hasn't arrived on time.
- Keep a stuffed animal in your child's car seat and move it to the front seat to remind you when your baby is in the back seat.
- Focus on driving and avoid cellphone calls and any other distractions while driving.
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Kidsandcars.org also encourages citizens to call 9-1-1 if they discover a child left alone in a car, and try to locate the driver.
"If the child is in imminent danger, it may be necessary to break the window furthest away from the child to rescue them," stressed Janette Fennell, president and founder of kidsandcars.org.