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MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. - Within one month, there have already been two incidents where a child was left unattended in a vehicle at the Laurel Bay housing area, said Gunnery Sgt. Moses Lozano.
Whether running into the store to buy some groceries, pick up the dry cleaning or stop at the post office, leaving a child in the car leaves them susceptible to heatstroke, injuries and even death.
Approximately 38 children die each year after being left unattended in a vehicle due to heatstroke, which is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children, according to an American Automobile Association study.
Babies and young kids are the most at risk because their bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult’s.
“Children have died because they fell asleep in their car seats and their parents or caregivers didn’t realize they were still in the car,” said Lozano. “To prevent this from happening, parents should make a habit of looking in the vehicle before locking the door and walking away. Parents can also do things to remind them that a child is in the vehicle, such as leave a written note or alarm to remind them that a child is still in the vehicle, or place an item such as a purse or briefcase in the back seat where the child is seated to force the driver to check the backseat before leaving the vehicle.”
The best way to prevent these issues is by never leaving a child alone in a car, even with the windows partially opened, said Lozano, the ground safety manager for Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort.
Even with the windows open, a vehicle’s interior can still heat up quickly to deadly temperatures.
Other dangers present themselves if a parent leaves their child in a running vehicle with the air conditioner on. This is dangerous because a child may put the car in drive, not to mention that the parent increases their risk of having their vehicle stolen or their child abducted, according to an AAA study.
To prevent these incidents Air Station Order P5110.1F, Chapter 3 Section, 3109, (9) was put into place. The order states no vehicle will be left occupied solely by a person who cannot readily exit in the event of an emergency. Children under the age of 10 will not be left unattended in vehicles, unless in the custody of a person at least 12 years old.
Currently, there is no state law against leaving a child unattended in a vehicle, said Lozano.
However, if death or injury occurs as a result of leaving a child in a car, it is possible to be charged with child endangerment or manslaughter.
A bill is pending in South Carolina that prohibits vehicle operators or adult passengers from leaving a child unattended in a vehicle for more than five minutes, according to the South Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles.
“Young children bring great joy and happiness to many of our lives, yet each year children die as a result of being left unattended in a vehicle,” said Lozano. “As summer reaches its peak, safety should remain paramount when it comes to protecting our families.”
| Date Taken: | 08.02.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2013 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 111531 |
| Location: | BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 44 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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