Children Dying in Hot Cars: Safety Advocates Take to Twitter, Facebook on Wednesday

By Jason Spencer

Tragically, babies dying in hot cars is more common than anyone would like to think — and the parents involved have come from all different walks of life.

Today is National Heatstroke Prevention Day. And the statistics show heatstroke needs some attention. 

At least 24 children have died due to heatstroke already in 2013, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA.

Two incidents occurred in the Baltimore area this summer, including a 16-month-old who was left in a car in Lansdowne. In Forest Hill, a Bel Air woman was arrested earlier this month for allegedly leaving her dog in her vehicle in 92-degree heat.

Even with the forecast calling for days in the low 80s, the temperature inside a vehicle can reach deadly levels in 10 minutes, according to the NHTSA. Children under 4 are at the greatest risk for suffering heat-related illnesses or death.

Wednesday, the NHTSA and safety advocates will post information on social media about child heatstrokes — and how to avoid them — every hour on the hour from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

You can join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter or follow the hashtag #heatstroke.

To learn more about NHTSA’s “Where’s Baby? Look Before You Lock” campaign, visit www.SaferCar.gov/heatstroke.

To learn more about Safe Kids’ “Never Leave Your Child Alone in a Car” campaign, visit www.safekids.org/heatstroke.