Child Dies After Being Left in Hot Car Several Hours

empty carseat Last month in Pennsylvania, a four-year-old girl died after she was left in the back of a hot car for several hours. This tragedy is a reminder of the dangers hot cars pose to children during hot weather.

The four-year-old was being taken care of by her father’s girlfriend, who was supposed to take her to day care. But the woman drove to Williamsport to go to work and left the child alone in the backseat while temperatures outside reached a high of 90 degrees.

The incident is still under investigation and negligence may have been a factor, though police say the death appears to be a tragic accident. The woman has cooperated with law enforcement and has submitted to drug and alcohol testing.

If you have lost a loved one in a deadly accident, you may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, funeral expenses and lost wages. Schmidt Kramer personal injury lawyers will fight to secure justice for your family.

Protect Children from Heatstroke

Leaving a child in the backseat of a hot car can cause heat stroke, which is one of the leading causes of child death in the U.S.

Forgetting about a child in the back seat can happen to anyone, but the risk may increase when routines are suddenly altered or children ride with a caregiver who is not used to their presence in the vehicle.

The NHTSA website recommends adults follow these safety tips to protect children from being left in a hot car where they can suffer from heat stroke:

Before locking and leaving the vehicle, look in the back seats to verify children are not present.
Never leave children unattended in vehicles, even if the weather seems mild; a vehicle’s temperature can rise quickly, even on cloudy days.
If someone else is transporting your child, call to verify that your child has safely arrived at their destination.
If you see a child in distress in a vehicle, call 911 and get the child out of the car.

Signs of heat stroke include nausea, lack of perspiration, confusion, and skin that is red, hot, and either moist or dry.

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Protect Children from Heatstroke