Hot Temperatures Take Lives of Two Children in NWA
By: Channing Barker
Updated: August 6, 2012
Arkansas is second to Tennessee in the number of children who have died this year from being left in a car. But there are some ways you can do to prevent this tragedy from happening to your family.
On Friday, police said William and Margette Staten left their great grandson in a car in the Springdale Wal-Mart parking lot. On Saturday, a three-year-old in Benton County accidently locked himself in the car.
"It's so dangerous even when the weather's not as hot as it is now to leave anybody in a vehicle," said Captain Jimmy Jones with Central EMS.
"If you think you're gonna go intro Wal-Mart anywhere for a short period of time. Don't leave anyone in the car. Take everyone with you."
According to Doctor Christopher Johnson, there are some simple ways to prevent this kind of tragedy.
"The most important thing is to maybe build a trigger," said Dr. Johnson.
"Put something maybe in the front seat or maybe a note or post it. Anything on the front of the dash of the car to remind them that, 'Hey, you've got a child in the back.'"
"For the person that's not use to taking the child to school everyday, it would be very important to have that reminder and maybe even have the person who regularly takes the child to school, maybe give them a call."
And even if you're not leaving the house, take precautions anyway.
"Just always make sure you keep the car locked. That's the best way to prevent them from getting in there."
Some easy tips that take just seconds, but could save your child's life.
