Hot Cars Could Spell Death for Oregon Children

Temperatures inside an automobile can soar and quickly exceed the heat of the day, especially when the car is parked directly in the sun.

Cars can turn unpleasant outdoor temperatures deadly, and black interiors make the problem even worse.

(SALEM) - With the heat of summer in full swing, local police and firefighters say it is especially important to be mindful of kids as the sun rises temperatures far above what most people are accustomed to in Western Oregon.

Kevin Rau with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, says they have seen an increase in referrals from Child Welfare agencies like DHS about small children being left unattended in cars.

“As we all know, even a few moments in a hot car could spell disaster and could even prove fatal for a child. Weather officials have forecast 100+ temperatures this weekend.”

Rau says that even at much lower temperatures, leaving a child in the car to “run into the store” or mail a letter is very unsafe and it places the child in extreme danger. “Not only is this common sense, leaving your child in a car unattended could result in criminal charges.”

According to a fact sheet published by KIDS N’ CARS, a non profit organization dedicated to informing people of the dangers of leaving children in cars unattended, 742 kids have died in situations involving cars between 1999 and 2000. 80% of those were deaths resulting from children being left in hot cars or being backed over.

Here are some tips that will help you keep your child safe:

· Never leave your child unattended in a car, even for a “moment” · Always lock your car · Teach your child not to play in or around cars · Remember your child when you reach your destination