HORRIFYING! BABY FORGOTTEN IN FAMILY CAR DIES FROM HEATSTROKE! (SEE PREVENTION)

Eze V Uwaezuoke 9 June 2014

A family in Switzerland are brooding the loss of their 16-month-old baby, who was forgotten by one of the parents in the car, in La Chaux-de-Fonds near France.

"It was not until the end of the day... that they realized what had happened," AFP news agency quotes local prosecutor Marc Remy as saying.

A criminal inquiry is already opened on this.

When I read about this horrifying incidence that is known as “death by hyperthermia,” I considered the emotional, and mental strain this can put on the parent who last had that child in the car. It is even possible that when he or she looks at the rear mirror of the car, the warm smile of the toddler can be replayed, but sadly, they are now just a mirage!

In the United States 15 to 25 a year, ‘loving’ parents forget their wards in a car due to ‘forgetfulness,’ and end up being charged for the k!illing. Imagine facing trial for possible manslaughter while brooding the loss of a child – a child that died from intense heat which you left him into, unknowingly.

How can this be avoided? Strap the child in the front seat? No! That is an offence against traffic regulations in most countries.

Here are a few tips that can be of help:

Back seat: Put something in the back seat you can’t afford to leave behind as you approach your destination. Your office or desk key will surely jolt you if you are the one who’d open the door. Your ID card is another fine one to leave in the back seat if you must identify yourself before being allowed entry. The point is, to leave something in the back seat you must go back to get it before continuing your task.

Every child should be correctly restrained in the back seat.

Stuffed animal: Keep a brightly coloured one in the car seat when your child isn’t there. Then move it from the car seat to the front seat after you strap your child in, to remind you when your baby is in the back seat.

A DOLL TO REMIND YOU

Ask your babysitter or child-care provider to call you within 10 minutes if your child hasn't arrived on time.

Focus on driving: Avoid cell phone calls and text messaging while driving.

Every time you park your vehicle -- every single time -- open the back door to make sure no one has been left behind.

Place a light object, like a napkin, or a toy that belongs to the child on your lap as you drive. The moment you step out of the car, the object falls. That reminds you to give it to the little buddy behind, in the car.

Use an improvised door stopper which you have to remove before stepping out of the car. A fine example is the rubber band invention by an 11-year-old (as at the time of invention) Pelham, which is tied to the door handle and strapped behind the driver’s seat. It is easy to remove in cases of emergency also.

IMPROVISED FLEXIBLE DOOR STOPPER

Place an unusual object like a doll at the point of your seatbelt buckle. When you want to alight, of course, you should unbuckle your seatbelt if you are using one – I expect you to use a seatbelt every time you drive.

Leave one of your footwear in the back seat, while you have one with you in front. It is unlikely you'd continue to your destination after alighting with just one of the footwear on your feet, unless you want to undergo the breathalyzer test, as a drunk!

I will put up an article on taking care of domestic accidents involving our kids. Join zeeny360 facebook group or any of our contacts to keep up. Safe living.