Experts Look At Using Technology To Prevent Deaths In Hot Cars
By Cherri Gregg
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) --- Every year in the US nearly forty children die of heatstroke after being trapped inside of a hot vehicle.
Some local experts took a look at technology aimed at preventing this type of tragedy.
Every summer the stories are tragic, an infant or young child left inside of a hot car by a forgetful parent or caregiver as the mercury quickly rises to unbearable temperatures.
"This is not bad parenting, this is not low income poorly educated families," said Kristy Arbogast, an engineer for the Center for Injury Research and Prevention at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
She was lead author on a 2012 report that looked at technologies like seatbelt and wireless sensors, smart car seats and other devices.
"At that time, technology was not the silver bullet solution," she said.
And little has changed in the past two years. She says education is needed to prevent a tragedy she says can happen to anyone, especially when there is a change of a daily routine. She says reminders can help:
"Some suggestions I've heard include putting your purse or briefcase in the back seat, putting your cell phone in the back seat."
The best advice? Never leave kids in a hot car, not even for a minute.