HOUSTON—
According to the Advocacy Group Kids And Cars, August was the deadliest month on record for fatalities involving children being left in hot cars. Since
September is National Infant Mortality Awareness month, a health fair was held in Houston on Wednesday to educate the community on ways to prevent infant mortality.The number of children dying in hot cars has contributed to Harris County's high infant mortality rate. Now, some are asking car makers to install some type of warning system to prevent distracted parents from leaving children behind in their back seat.
"Why should we have to depend on an automobile manufacturer to put something in the car so you don't forget to take your child out of the car?" asked Diana Martinez, who's a health educator with Texas Children's injury prevention.
It's hard to believe, but imagine the next time you buckle up your child in that car seat, a safety belt reminder alerts you that your child is in the car when you arrive to your destination.
According to USA Today, some are urging congress and regulators to force car makers to install such a warning system. Organizers at the community forum on Wednesday educated families about the dangers of leaving children in vehicles.
"In 2010, 41 people (children) have died as a result of being left in a hot car. 12 of those deaths have been in Texas," Seema Patel, a manager for the center for childhood injury prevention for the Texas Children's hospital, said.
Of those 41 deaths, eight of those were toddlers.
"Most of those were not in the Houston area. So while it could be a contributing factor to infant mortality, so far this year it has not been," said Patel.
Using a reminder system to prevent children from being left behind in a car is also key.
"Put your purse [or] your wallet in the back seat, where the children are in their car seats so they have to look in the back and they remember to take their children out of the car seat," said Martinez.
With scorching temperatures across the Lone Star State, leaving a child inside a car for a short period of time can be fatal. Not communicating effectively - if you've changed your traveling routine - can also be dangerous.
"Let's say your husband's taking your baby to day care that day, make sure that you as a wife call your husband and remind him you dropped off the baby this morning," said Martinez.
"If you cannot see them, you cannot save them," said Ashley Garrett, who's with the Neighborhood Centers Inc.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is reportedly considering a petition to include safety belt reminder chimes for all seating positions.
