The Tragic Loss of a Child to Heat Stroke Teaches an Important Lesson

Each and every summer a tragic news report is heard about a child left in a hot car unattended who dies of hyperthermia or heat stroke. Sometimes these incidents are cases of forgetting the child is in the backseat while the responsible adult is at work and seem completely unintentional. Other times the responsible adult left the child in the hot car while they went out shopping or gambled at a casino and is completely at fault. This summer, a more unusual case of a child suffering from a heat stroke in a car occurred and this tragedy should serve as a lesson to anyone who lives around a small child.

On August 19, 2008 a 4-year-old boy from Sudlersville, Maryland traveled with his mother and two siblings to Kenton, Delaware to visit his grandparents. While at his grandparents' house, the 4-year-old told his mother he wanted to go see his father in a workshop on the property approximately 100 yards away. After visiting his father, the 4-year-old told him he wanted to head back up to his grandparents' home. A few hours later the boy's mother learned the boy had told his father he was heading back home but did not make it. The parents began to search the property and sadly found the 4-year-old had climbed into an unlocked car parked in the driveway, accidentally locked himself in, and could not get out. The parents quickly called 911 and family members administered CPR but unfortunately the young boy perished as a result of a heat stroke. The family and community was deeply saddened by the sorrowful event and no charges were filed

The pain this family must be feeling is so deep no one could possibly explain it. Some could argue this situation is a result of one parent thinking the child was with the other, a result of a lack of communication. Sure there are a lot of what ifs, but ultimately it is a situation that resulted from the curiosity of a child. Just as we cover up the electrical outlets, install special latches on cabinet doors, and block the stairs to baby proof our homes, we should also lock our car doors. Children love to pretend they are driving cars and this incident sheds light on how easily a toddler could accidentally lock themselves in a car and not be able to get out and die from a heat stroke. This sad situation should encourage everyone who lives around small children to lock their car doors at all times of the year.

Resources:
http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/NEWS/80819061