(WYMT) -More than 1,000 children across the U.S. have died from heatstroke after being left in hot cars since 1998. Twenty-three of those deaths occurred in Kentucky.
It does not have to be a 90-degree day for the danger to turn deadly.
“When it’s just 80 degrees outside, temperatures inside a car can reach 99 degrees within just 10 minutes, and up to 114 or more in that first 30 minutes,” Lori Weaver Hawkins said.
More than half of these deaths happen because a parent simply forgot the child was there.
“One of the most effective is to leave a wallet or purse or your computer bag, whatever it may be that you normally would need as you go into work, leave that in the back seat,” Hawkins said. “That way, you have to open that back seat door.”
Placing a phone or left shoe in the back seat forces a check before walking away.
Nearly a quarter of these deaths happen when a child climbs into an unlocked car to play and gets trapped.
“Lock up your vehicles, even if you have them sitting in your own driveway… make sure that you lock them up and keep those keys out of reach as well,” Hawkins said.
Cracking a window during a quick errand is not enough.
“Cracking a window is not going to save that child’s life… don’t risk your child’s life because it’s a hassle to get them in and out of the vehicle,” Hawkins said. “It is definitely not worth it.”
If you see a child alone in a car, call 911 immediately.
Kentucky currently ranks 42nd in the nation for per-capita hot car deaths. Experts say these deaths are 100% preventable.