Deaths in hot cars claim 8 children so far this spring
At least eight children -- mostly babies and toddlers younger than age 2 -- have died this spring after being left by caregivers or trapped in hot cars. That includes seven deaths in May alone, nearly double the typical number of heatstroke deaths during the month involving kids forgotten or neglected in vehicles, according to the advocacy group KidsAndCars.org. It provides a devastating reminder ...   Â
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I remember, something like 20 years ago or so, a battering campaign in the main tv networks in my Country for sensitizing people about a similar problem. In that case, the spot, broadcasted over and over for several months, invited Italians to leave a window or two slightly open when leaving the car and never stay away for more than 30 minutes. I know that most of you will be having contrasting feelings at this time: "Better than nothing" Or "How can? You should not leave them alone!". But you miss a detail: the final message. At the end of the spot, a written line would appear on the screen saying something like: "Don't become the killer of your DOG: he counts on you".
Now, already at that time and still now, I wonder why the Government spent so much money to remember us about dogs (with all the love I feel for them) while, also in my Country, babies die every year because of that.
I believe this is a problem that is getting to be more and more of an issue. In the fast paced and with many devices that demand our attention I am seeing that many more people are distracted to the point that they are much more likely to forget about a child, toddler or even a baby being in the car when they lock it and walk away. I think car makers should put sensors in the cars that will alert the drivers when they sense people in the back seat but am unsure of how that would work.
I just don't get it WHY, my goodness WHY if people KNOW the dangers of leaving an infant in a HOT car, they will STILL take the risk and leave them!