by Janet B. Brooks
Child Advocacy Manager
What’s on your mind as summer begins? Now that school is out, the kids are home and “fun” is part of the daily routine, it is a good time to stop and think safety. Sometimes the most routine things we do can become the most deadly things we do. Join with us at Primary Children’s Medical Center in making this a Summer@Safety. Let’s think about the routine things we do and make sure they are routines that can protect our families.
Buckle Up Always
When getting in the vehicle, no matter how far we are traveling, remember that properly buckling your children and yourself is critical to remaining safe. Many of us think ‘nothing will ever happen to me because I am a safe and experienced driver.’ While that may be comforting, it is far from the truth since none of us can control what the other drivers on the road are doing. Car seats, booster seats and seat belts Save Lives! Remaining alert, undistracted and in compliance with posted speed limits will make our trips safer this summer. I don’t know about you but the anticipation of family visits, excursions to recreation and entertainment locations and vacation destinations make for a fun summer. Our safety diligence can make these anticipations a reality!
Spot the Tot
Here are a few additional safety tips that may help your family have a Summer@Safety. Make it routine to walk around the vehicle and make sure that young children are properly supervised when leaving the home or any parking location. I have five beautiful grandchildren and I can’t imagine the unthinkable happening due to my negligence or distraction. In Utah, one child is run over every seven days. These incidents are preventable. Spot the Tot is the slogan created at Primary Children’s Medical Center to remind us to take action to save a life-time of loss and pain.
In the Car
It is never a wise idea to leave children in the vehicle for even a few minutes. There are many issues that may become major mistakes when kids are left in cars. On average, 38 children die each year in the U.S. from hyperthermia. The inside temperature of the vehicle can increase as much as 19 degrees in ten minutes on a warm, summer day. A child’s body is much different than an adult and they don’t have the same ability to regulate temperature. Once their temperature reaches 106 degrees, they are in extreme danger of succumbing to death. As well, children that are entrapped in a trunk often die. Vehicles can be placed in gear by an unattended child and move into a dangerous situation. Power windows can cause risks to children left alone in a vehicle and the threat of abduction becomes greater. During the month of May, seven children in the U.S. died after being left alone in the car. That is nothing to be proud of!
Use Car Seats
While on vacation, remember that all states have car seat laws. If flying, driving, or using other family transportation, take car seats for your children. Rear-facing and forward-facing car seats can be used on airplanes. Booster seats cannot but you will need them upon arrival for the vehicles you will use on location. Even if you plan to use a rental vehicle see if they rent car seats or take your own to make your travel safe.
Let’s make our routines Summer@Safety routines this summer and Hold On To Dear Life!
