WASHINGTON — In an effort to spread awareness, state, federal and local safety officials gathered in Oxon Hill, Maryland, Friday — National Heatstroke Prevention Day — to demonstrate the dangers of leaving children locked inside hot cars.
Last year, 31 children died from heatstroke and 15 have already died this year, according to data provided by Prince George’s County Fire & Rescue Service.
In the mock scenario, 911 received a call from a bystander who found a child locked in a hot car. Emergency rescuers responded, hoping to free a child locked in a hot car.
“If they knock on that window and the baby does not respond, there’s a window coming out of that vehicle very quickly,” said Mark Brady, spokesman for Prince George’s Fire & Rescue.
Though in the demo, rescuers opened the door and placed the “child” on a stretcher, en route to an air-conditioned ambulance.
Prince George’s Fire & Rescue, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Safe Kids Worldwide coordinated the event, which was held at Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.
Safe Kids Worldwide suggested putting a purse or briefcase next to the car seat, setting a timer or alarm, or putting a note or something such as a stuffed toy somewhere visible to an exiting driver. Also, the organization urged drivers to get into the habit of checking the back seat before walking away from a vehicle.
Also, there’s a helpful acronym, ACT:
A- Avoid heat stroke by never leaving a child alone in a car even for a minute.
C- Create a reminder. Put something you need near the child or in the front seat as a reminder. Reminders are especially important for drives the deviate from normal routines.
T- Take action. If you see a child alone in a vehicle call 911.
WTOP’s Kristi King contributed to this report.
