CAMDEN — We editorialized here not long ago about some of the perils that come with summer weather.
Our annual warning included, of course, the hazards of leaving children in hot cars. Some advice not included with the previous editorial was included in an article last week in the Camden News and deserves repeating. The information also applies to pets.
The Arkansas Department of Health - explaining that temperatures of around 100 degrees can mean stifling vehicle conditions of higher than 140 degrees and even of just around 70 meaning inside temperatures of over 100 - offered these prevention tips:
• Dial 911 immediately if you see an unattended child in a car. EMS professionals are trained to determine if a child is in trouble.
• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even with the windows slightly open.
• Place an item that is to be carried from the car, such as a cell phone, purse, briefcase, or gym bag, in the floor in front of the child in the back-seat. This triggers adults to see children when they open the rear door and reach for their belongings.
• Be especially careful if you change your routine for dropping little kids at daycare. Have a plan with your daycare if your child is late that you will be called within a few minutes.
• Set your cell phone or other social media device to remind you to drop your child off at daycare.
•Set your computer calendar program, such as Outlook, to ask, “Did you drop off your child at daycare today?”
A reminder was also given to prevent trunk entrapment of children.
• Teach children not to play in any vehicle.
• Lock all vehicle doors and trunk after everyone has exited the vehicle especially at home.•- Keep keys out of children’s reach.
• Check vehicles and trunks first if a child goes missing.
A caution we have not seen in a while, but is important, concerns non-working household appliances that are not immediately disposed of properly. An old refrigerator or freezer, with the door not removed, can be a tempting and potential suffocating place of exploring for a small child.