National Heat Stroke Prevention Day

Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — National Heat Stroke Prevention Day shines light on a problem that appears to be growing: child vehicular heat stroke. Children continue to lose their lives after being trapped in a hot vehicle; there have been 19 documented so far in 2014 nationwide, according to KidsandCars.org. It disturbs parents and non-parents alike. However, a 17-year-old in New Mexico is working on an alarm that would alert a key fob, mobile phone and the car alarm if parents get more than 40-feet away from a vehicle with a child inside. If and when her product, called Hot Seat, is complete in unclear, but KidsandCars.org offers these tried and true methods they say you can implement today: In addition to never leaving children alone in or around cars, kids and cars dot org says some things you may not have considered include the following: Get in the habit of always opening your back door every time you reach your destination to make sure no child has been left behind. Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in the garage or driveway. Put a large stuffed animal in the child’s car seat when it’s not occupied. When the child is placed in the seat, put the stuffed animal in the front seat. It’s a visual reminder that anytime the stuffed toy is up front you know the child is in the back seat. Use drive-thru services whenever possible, and pay at the pump. KidsandCars.org’s, Look Before You Lock campaign is even petitioning the White House calling for technology that would prevent children from being left in vehicles.