Never Leave Your Child Alone In a Car

June 25, 2012 - PRLog -- Did you know that the temperature inside a car can increase by twenty degrees in just ten minutes!  Meanwhile, a child’s body temperature can rise up to five times faster than an adult’s body temperature, making children more sensitive to heat stroke than adults.  Child safety advocate, Michael Pouls explains what these statistics mean.  “All parents must understand that they are putting their child at risk by leaving him/her alone in a car – even for just a few minutes, because just a few minutes is all it takes for him or her to suffer from hyperthermia, even on a mild day.”  Hyperthermia occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate, and is a real risk for both children and adults.

Beyond never leaving your child alone in a car, steps should be taken to make sure your child never gets accidentally locked inside a car.  For example, car keys should always be kept out of reach of children, and they should be taught never to play in or around vehicles.  However, if your child does get accidentally locked inside a car, steps must be taken to get them out as soon as possible.  Michael Pouls advises parents to, “Dial 911 before the child exhibits signs of being overheated, because these signs can come quickly and without warning.”  Signs include:  nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, headache, cramps, and dizziness.

For more child safety information, please log onto michaelpouls.info.