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Look before you lock - Heatstroke Prevention Day is July 31

Precautions can save lives
July 30, 2016

July 31 marked National Heatstroke Prevention Day, and with temperatures rising into the 90s, Beebe Healthcare is encouraging parents, grandparents and caregivers to Look Before You Lock.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Safe Kids Worldwide are highlighting the dangers of child heatstroke in hot cars during the summer months and urging parents and caregivers to think, "Where's baby? Look before you lock."

"Sadly, I read reports every year about children dying from this easily preventable tragedy. According to the website Kids and Cars, 19 children have died already this year. Please take the time to make sure you always know where your child is and take all the steps you can to ensure no child is ever left in the car to die," said Cheryl Hopple, RN, CHEP, emergency management coordinator at Beebe Healthcare and Sussex County Safe Kids Committee chairperson.

Prevent heatstroke and child deaths by taking the following precautions:

When the vehicle is parked, everyone should exit. Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle on hot days, even if the windows are cracked. Even if the engine is running and the air conditioning is on, do not leave a child in the car.
Check a vehicle – front and back – before locking the door and walking away.
Ask childcare providers to call if a child does not show up for care as expected.
Create a habit that requires the driver to look in the back seat. Place a purse or briefcase or cellphone in the back of the car so the driver must open the back door to retrieve it. This will ensure no child is accidentally left in the vehicle.
Teach children that a vehicle is not a play area, and store keys out of a child's reach to prevent a child from accidentally locking himself or herself in a parked vehicle.

If a child is alone in a hot vehicle, immediately call 911. A child in distress due to heat should be removed from the vehicle as quickly as possible and rapidly cooled.

Here are some tips to help cool a child quickly:
• Bring the child indoors or into the shade immediately
• Undress the child
• Have the child lie down; elevate feet slightly
• If the child is alert, place in cool bath water. If outside, spray the child with mist from a garden hose
• If the child is alert and coherent, give frequent sips of cool, clear fluids
• If the child is vomiting, turn onto his or her side to prevent choking.

For more information and tips, go to www.safekids.org and search heatstroke.

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