NHTSA Calling on Parents to “Look Before You Lock”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently issued a press release calling on parents to “Look Before You Lock.” Officials with the NHTSA are getting ready to observe National Heatstroke Prevention Day on Sunday, May 1. On this day, and throughout the summer, the NHTSA will be reminding parents and caregivers to check their back seats before they leave their vehicles. 

Routine or Schedule Changes as Risk Factors 

According to the NHTSA, one of the biggest risk factors for heatstroke deaths is a change in routine. If a schedule shifts or there is a change to the usual routine, a busy parent or caregiver may be at risk for forgetting their child in the back seat. Nobody thinks it will ever happen to them, but this isn’t a topic to take lightly.  

On average, 38 children die from heatstroke in hot vehicles every year. A lot of these deaths happen when a morning routine is different than usual. Perhaps, a different caregiver is supposed to do the dropoff routine or the times shift for daycare. Any deviation from the usual routine can be a risk factor for a potential heatstroke.  

NHTSA’s Info for Parents  

  • Never leave a child alone in a car, even if you’ll only be gone a minute.  
  • Rolling down a window doesn’t keep a car cool.  
  • Heatstroke can happen even on relatively cool days.
  • A vehicle can reach dangerous temps in as little as 10 minutes.  

Don’t Forget to Keep Your Car Locked   

Another cause of heatstroke deaths is children getting stuck in unlocked vehicles. It can be tempting for some people to leave their vehicles unlocked, especially if they live in a community with very little crime.  

Don’t think of locking your car door as a way to keep criminals out though. Think about locking your door as a way to protect children from getting inside and overheating. This is important even for people who don’t have children, as a neighborhood child could get into your vehicle and get stuck.  

If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a car accident caused by a distracted or negligent driver in San Diego or anywhere in Southern California, contact our skilled team at Harris Personal Injury Lawyers, Inc. for a free case consultation at 1.800.GO.HARRIS for a free case consultation today.