5 reasons why you shouldn’t leave your child in a car alone
It’s the school holidays so you will be spending some more time with your children over the next few weeks, or maybe even babysitting – but be warned – do not leave your child in the car. Even if you quickly run out and get something in the shop, this can be very dangerous. In the United States, a reported 39 children have died due to heatstroke after being left in a car. According to noheatstroke.org this number has increased from the 24 in 2015.
Firstly, leaving your children in the car is unsafe and secondly they can overheat. Hundreds of children each year are involved in potentially fatally accidents when left unattended in a vehicle. Whether it’s from gear-shifted crashes, sweltering temperatures, locking parents out of a car, boot entrapments, or playing with windows and getting limbs (or necks even) caught, horrific accidents can and do happen in a blink of an eye.
One second is all it takes for something horrific to happen. Here are 5 reasons NOT to leave your children in the car according to Michelle LaRowe, writer of Parenting.
1. It is scary for a child to be left alone.
2. A car’s temperature can change quickly. It can become too hot or too cold in minutes.
3. You could lock your keys in the car, along with your child.
4. According to Safe Kids, 30 children die each year when they are alone in the car. One of those 30 could be yours.
5. In some countries, it’s illegal. It can be considered a misdemeanour offense and if your child is hurt or worse, it can become a felony.
So parents, rather be safe and take your child everywhere with you!