Police: Children Dying in Cars from Heatstrokes Is Preventable

LONGVIEW — Longview police issue another cautionary note on a problem we’re hearing too much about this summer: children left in hot cars. Police say safety should be first and foremost when it comes to children riding in child safety seats. Drivers should do whatever it takes to be reminded that there is a child in the back seat of the car, according to a news release. Police say parents should also lock their vehicles when they are parked in the driveways of their homes.

Here are some more safety tips for heatstroke prevention.

Never leave children alone in or around cars; not even for a minute (not to mention thieves can steal your car too)
Leave an item you need in the safety seat with the child
“Look before you lock” your car
Develop a safety plan with your child’s sitter or daycare facility. If your child does not show up as scheduled have them call ALL contact numbers to check on your child’s whereabouts
Always keep your car locked when it’s parked in the driveway
If you see a child alone in a vehicle, call 9-1-1 immediately. If the child could be in danger, take Immediate Action to get the child to safety
Use drive-thru services instead of walking into a business if you don’t want to take your child inside