The Preventable Death of a Toddler

On Wednesday, July 2nd, another toddler died after being left in a car during the hot hours of the day. From Pennsylvania, the two year old child was picked up by his daycare provider and was accidentally left in the vehicle for approximately six hours. According to the Fox43 News, the daycare provider forgot he was in the backseat. He is not the only child to die from being left in a hot vehicle.

Parents, daycare providers, and anyone taking care of a child must make certain they never leave a child in a car unattended. Just a quick trip in the store to pick up a gallon of milk could turn into the death of the child when he or she is left behind in the car. While temperatures outside may seem warm, the temperatures in a vehicle can soar to well over 100 degrees and even 120 degrees. The child can quickly become overheated and if not treated immediately, can result in death. The Pennsylvania child was in the vehicle for approximately six hours.

While all parents may feel it is a hassle to take their child out of the car for just a few minutes or hate to disturb them when they are sleeping, it is a necessary habit you must get into to protect your child. Death by hyperthermia (excessive heat) is preventable. Never leave your child in the vehicle, even for a few moments. Even in cooler weather, you are putting your child in danger when you leave them unattended. All it takes is just a second for someone to snatch your child or another vehicle to slam into your parked car.

In the case of the two year old from Pennsylvania, it was his daycare provider who forgot he was in the backseat of the minivan. If you are the parent of a child who is often taken care of by others, voice your concerns to everyone who may be in charge of your child. Let them be educated in the dangers of leaving a child behind in a vehicle and you may just save the life of your child.