We have already commented on it on occasion, but a child should never be left alone inside the closed car (and without having the possibility of going out): neither in winter nor in summer ... but it is that with high temperatures, who can think of it! However, events of this type occur every year, and unfortunately, on some occasions it has no longer been possible to save the child's life.
Babies between the ages of one and five are responsible for these incidents: They are tied to their restraint systems and do not know how to get out of the trap in which a closed car becomes in the sun, or simply on a moderately hot day. When we read the news in which after discovering a child in the car, his mother, father or both (sometimes other people in the family are also involved) are arrested, we ask ourselves "how is it possible?"
Well, it is possible because most of the cases are involuntary, and the result of a distraction,… you will say that this is not a justification, and you are right; In fact, among the prevention tips that "circulate" is a strategy as simple as place near the child an object that we carry and that we automatically look for when we get out of the car and before closing it. For example the wallet, sunglasses, the telephone (most of us make sure we have it, we should do the same with the children, but that is another matter), house keys, supermarket points card, ...
Second and third, in order of reasons to "abandon" a defenseless being to the fate of a metal-walled machine that can be converted into a 55º oven, They are the children's solo access while the car is parked (Always close even if you are in a country house or similar): they enter, the door is closed and they stay there; and to leave the girl or boy on purpose, to go to make a purchase or a management. With the excuse of "it will be 5 minutes", "it is a moment", ... the 10 minutes become 30 and so on ...
Do not leave children alone in the car ...
Not a minute, not two ... It's as easy as untying him and taking him with us, it's common sense and it should also be instinctive. The body temperature of a child can rise 3 to 5 times faster, they have less volume of water. In 20 minutes they could be suffering from heat stroke, and in 2 hours (or less) lose their life. I have already said that it is not necessary to be at 40º outside. It can happen to anyone, although it shouldn't be like that, we all should have the ability to avoid it. It is useless to leave the window a little open, the only way to prevent it is to take the child with us, or leave it while we go to fix papers or buy with someone you trust.
What if you see a child alone inside a closed car in the middle of summer?
Well, the most logical thing would be to call the ER or the Police, although it could also be that he was ALREADY suffering from heat strokeIn this case, you must follow the instructions given to you by phone, even if they include breaking the window; If so, they will tell you to look for one as far away as possible from the little one so as not to hurt him, although the priority is to save his life. Why this urgency?
What is heatstroke like?
Perhaps many of us do not know how to identify it (maybe in our own children we do). Hyperthermia or heatstroke it can trigger the death of the child. It is recognized by very hot and dry skin (if the skin is totally dry it is very dangerous, because the body has already used sweating and does not even have it), high heart rate and rapid and agitated breathing. It will not be visible from the outside of the car, but a child with heatstroke will probably have a headache and become depressed at an advanced stage; seizures and loss of consciousness can occur.
Caring for a little one who has suffered hyperthermia.
While the emergency services arrive, it should be placed in the shade and cool, and we will refresh your skin with warm water or soaked towels (If you have wet wipes on hand, they work too). If you can use a fan or a fan, the better. If you are conscious you can sip a little.