Heat Stroke Prevention Resources

The following resources are from our partner Safe Kids. 

Last year, 51 children died in hot cars in the U.S., the highest number on record since 1989. We know this is 100 percent preventable. We know that disseminating key messages that resonate with parents and caregivers is important, but we’ve also seen that empowering bystanders to call 911 when they see a child unattended in a car has proven to be the best line of defense to save lives. Everyone can play a role in saving a child’s life if they are given permission to take action.    

Most people assume that the parent who is responsible for the death of a child is a bad parent, however in many cases these are loving, caring, educated and trustworthy individuals who had a change in routine, got distracted, sleep deprived, stressed, multi-tasking or all the above. This could happen to anyone, it could happen to you.   

Since 1989, almost 800 children have died of heatstroke when they were unattended in vehicles. On average, 38 children die each year in one of three ways:

  • 54 percent were left unknowingly in vehicles when the driver became distracted at the destination and forgot there was a child in the vehicle.
  • 27 percent the child gained access to an unlocked vehicle and could not get out.
  • 18 percent the driver knowingly left the child in the vehicle while they did something else, such as running an errand.

We need your help to spread the word about the dangers of children unattended in hot cars to your state and local stakeholders. In this letter, you’ll find a few ways you can share key messages about how to keep kids safe.

How You Can Help

Resources

Social Media Posts

Here are some social media posts you can use on your channels to help spread the word.

Facebook:

  • We’re joining with @SafeKidsWorldwide and @AAAMfeed to keep kids safe from heatstroke. Learn what you can do, and how to spread the word so that everyone knows to ACT if they see a child alone in a car. http://bit.ly/1gy2XPR
  • Heatstroke doesn’t only happen on hot days. Children are still at risk even in cooler temperatures because of how quickly a car can heat up. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. You don’t know how long they’ve been there, so don’t waste any time. You can save a life. http://bit.ly/1gy2XPR
  • Your car heats up faster than you think. The inside temperature can rise 19 degrees in 10 minutes so before you know it cars can become unsafe for children and pets. Never leave a child or a pet alone in a car, not even for a minute. http://bit.ly/1gy2XPR
  • What should you do if you see a child alone in a car? Dial 911. Emergency personnel are trained to respond. http://bit.ly/1gy2XPR

Twitter:

  • If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Experts will know what to do. You could save a life: http://bit.ly/1Rya76V
  • In just 10 minutes a car’s temperature can increase by 19 degrees – and it continues to rise #heatstroke http://bit.ly/1dtPS9M
  • #Heatstroke can happen to anyone, anywhere. Learn tips so it doesn’t happen to you or your loved ones: http://bit.ly/1fT7GgB
  • Tip: Make sure to keep your car locked when you’re not in it so kids don’t get in on their own. http://bit.ly/1gy2XPR #heatstroke
  • Every 10 days a child dies from being left in a hot car. Help prevent #heatstroke. http://bit.ly/1fT7GgB
  • More than half of reported #heatstroke deaths occurred when a distracted caregiver forgot their child was in the car http://bit.ly/1fT7GgB
  • We can cut down the number of #heatstroke deaths and near-misses by remembering to ACT! Find out how http://bit.ly/1gy2XPR
  • Remember to never leave a child alone in a car – not even for a minute! http://bit.ly/1fT7GgB #heatstroke
  • Help us spread the word to prevent #heatstroke. http://bit.ly/1fT7GgB
  • What should you do if you see a child alone in a hot car? Dial 911 immediately. http://bit.ly/1gy2XPR #heatstroke
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