Preventing Hot Car Deaths This Summer

NBC News-2 recently reported that the Lee County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to the public about the dangers of hot cars. A spokeswoman asserted that a vehicle can rise to 125 degrees in just minutes and importantly, the body temperature of a child rises much faster than that of adults. As a safety precaution, the Sheriff’s Office recommends that Floridians remember to lock car doors, a simple precaution can not only fend off criminals but also prevent kids from getting inside and overheating.

Why is This Warning Being Issued Here in Florida?

There are two main reasons why this warning is being issued here. These reasons are:

• Florida is hot. Unlike most other places in the country, it never really gets cold in the Sunshine State and even in the winter months, the average daytime temperatures hover in the 70s. However, we are now approaching the hottest months of the year when temperatures will climb well into the 90s, heightening the risks of a fatality if a child is left in a hot car.
• Florida is a hotspot for hot car deaths. Sadly, Florida consistently leads the way in the number of hot car deaths that occur in this country. Unfortunately, the first hot car death this year occurred here in Florida. Additionally, of the eight children who have died thus far in hot car fatalities in 2019, three of them were right here in the Sunshine State.

How Can Hot Car Fatalities Be Prevented?

As the Sheriff’s Office recommends, car doors should be locked. Other measures to help prevent these tragic fatalities include:

• Talk to your children about appropriate play areas. Make sure that you teach your children what is and what isn’t an appropriate place for play – and ensure that you emphasize that it’s never okay to hide in the car.
• Give yourself a reminder when a child is in the car. If dropping your child off is not a normal part of your routine, find a way to remind yourself that he or she child is in your car, such as putting a purse or briefcase in the back seat.
• Don’t hesitate if you see a child left alone in a car. If you spot an unattended child in a parked car, call 911 immediately and try to keep the child engaged through the window until authorities arrive.

Has a Young Child That You Love Been Injured or Killed in a Hot Car Accident Due to Someone Else’s Negligence?

The death of a child is always tragic, and these tragedies are magnified when that death could have been prevented. The family members who are left to mourn in these situations often struggle with questions of liability and who to hold accountable for their young loved one’s death. Anyone who suspects that their child’s tragic death was due to negligence should arrange a consultation with a local personal injury attorney to review the facts of their case and to explore any legal actions that may be available. As the experienced Fort Myers personal injury attorneys of The Pendas Law Firm, we sympathize with your tragedy and can offer the best legal advice regarding these kinds of tragic deaths. Contact us today so that you can begin obtaining the help you need.

The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Orlando, Tampa, Bradenton, Jacksonville, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Daytona Beach areas.

Resource:

nbc-2.com/story/40527085/lee-county-sheriffs-office-is-warning-people-about-the-dangers-of-hot-cars

https://www.pendaslaw.com/preventing-the-tragic-implications-of-car-fires/