Officials Warn ‘Famously Hot’ Could Become Dangerously Hot

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A woman frantically trying to break a child out of a locked car in Kansas, It’s a parent’s worst nightmare and something officials say happens more often than you might think. Lt. Micah Norman with the Lexington County EMS says,”In 2014 the national weather statistics say that we had 30 heat related fatalities that were all related to car incidents.” With this week’s extreme temperatures, authorities are offering advice on how to prevent these potentially deadly accidents. Sgt. Kevin Lawrence with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department says,”Make sure when you enter the vehicle that you leave something you know you must need in the back seat with the child… Maybe a cell phone, a spare key to the house, a key to the house. anything you know you must need when you exit your vehicle.” According to Norman, “Don’t even take the chance of leaving them for a second, try to make sure they’re with you at all times. Don’t leave anyone in the car right now.” In the unfortunate event that a loved one should become locked in the car, officials say it’s critical to assess the situation and act fast. “If it’s a situation where somebody could possibly be overheating or suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke by all means if you have to force your way into a vehicle then do that. You can replace a window but you cannot replace a life,” says Lawrence. “If someone is in a car and they’re in immediate danger then you need to act quickly. Call emergency responders, call police, call 911 and get someone there who can access the car quickly and then give access to medical attention the child,” says Norman. Most importantly they stress being mindful. According to Newton,”That’s the key thing. These types of accidents are preventable, these type of childhood fatalities where they are left in cars this can all be avoided if you’re taking the proper precautions in advance.