Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
With the summer weather, we’re getting to hang out outside, enjoy some barbecues, get a tan at the pool and enjoy that sunshine that we look forward to all year. Unfortunately, this is also a common time when children are left in vehicles and face serious risks for injury in Boston and elsewhere.
The unprecedented heatwave has also sharply increased the risks of work accidents in Massachusetts.
Unintentionally, children are left in hot cars each and every day. In 2011, there were nearly 35 kids who were under the age of 14-years-old who died because a parent or guardian left them alone inside a hot vehicle.
Safe Kids Worldwide and officials with the National Transportation Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have recently teamed up to help to prevent these kinds of accidents. The duo will be hosting a number of events throughout the entire month of July to help to raise awareness and to prevent child deaths from heat stroke in the U.S.
Our Boston car accident lawyers understand that heatstroke is the top cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children 13-years-old and younger. Parents, guardians and caregivers are the first line of defense against these kinds of accidents. Everyone has a role to play in helping to keep our kids safe, too. We’re in one of the hottest months out of the entire year and everyone needs to be aware of these incidents. It’s important to spread the word about the basic safety precautions that can be taken to make sure that our young ones are safe.
The recent announcement works to build on the 2011 campaign, “Where’s baby? Look before you lock.” More than 530 kids have died in these kinds of accidents since 1998.
“Everything we know about this terrible danger to children indicates heatstroke in hot cars can happen to any caregiver – and the majority of these cases are accidental tragedies,” said David Strictland, NHTSA Administrator.
Even when the temps are in the low 80s, children are at serious risks for heatstroke when left inside a vehicle, even when the windows are cracked. In just 10 minutes, the temps can reach deadly levels for a child’s small body. It’s the kids who are under the age of four who are at the highest risks for a heat-related illness in these circumstances.
Safety Tips:
-Never leave a kid alone in a vehicle, for any amount of time.
-Always check the front and the back seats before getting out, locking the doors and walking away.
-Notify your childcare provider to call you if your child doesn’t show up when they’re expected.
-Consider placing your briefcase or purse in the back seat to force yourself to look back there before getting out.
-Teach your child that a car is no place to play.
-Keep your car keys out of the reach of children.
-If you see a kid alone in a car, call 911 immediately.
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a car accident in Boston or in any of the nearby areas, contact Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers to schedule a free and confidential appointment to discuss your rights. Call 877-617-5333!
More Blog Entries:
Child Injuries in Boston and Risks for Heatstroke Deaths, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, April 12, 2012
Parents Preventing Child Injury in Massachusetts with New NHTSA PSA, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, April 8, 2012