GM working with Safe Kids USA to increase ‘Never Leave Your Child Alone’ Awareness

Safe Kids USA and General Motors working together for the benefit of kids everywhere

The ambient temperature inside of a vehicle on a 80 degree day can reach up to 110 degrees in just 20 minutes. On average there are 37 infant deaths resulting from being left in hot cars per year. I’ve heard horror stories on the news about infant death resulting from being stuck inside a car and it is something that needs to be brought up and addressed during these hot summer days.

GM recently partnered with Safe Kids USA and together they are aiming to increase public awareness of the issue through education.

From the press release: “A child’s core body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s, making them more susceptible to heat stroke – even on a day with mild temperatures,” said Lorrie Walker, training manager and technical adviser for Safe Kids USA. “Our goal is to raise awareness of just how dangerous it is to leave a child unattended in a vehicle, as well as to remind parents and caregivers of important safety precautions they can take to avoid this preventable tragedy.”

Here’s a few tips from GM and Safe Kids USA to ensure that something like this never happens:

• Call 911 if they see a child unattended in a vehicle.
• Never leave children alone in a vehicle – not even for a minute.
• Set your cell phone or Blackberry reminder to be sure you drop your child off at daycare.
• Place a cell phone, PDA, purse, briefcase, gym bag or whatever is to be carried from the car on the floor in front of the child in a back seat. This forces the adult to open the back door and observe the child before leaving.
• Set your computer “Outlook” program to ask you, “Did you drop off at daycare today?”
• Have a plan with your child care provider to call if your child does not arrive when expected.
• Check cars and trunks first if a child goes missing.