15 kids have died already this year in unattended cars due to heat stroke. Fifteen.
These tragedies occur when parents or caregivers leave children alone, strapped into their carseats, to "quickly" run into a store, or to pick up another child at school.
Or they forgot to drop off a child sleeping in the backseat at daycare before going to work.
Little lives are so fragile. Children can overheat within minutes on a 72-degree day. That's five times faster than adults. "Cracking the windows" doesn't help.
Education is key. Learn what you need to know about kids, cars and heat stroke — there's a lot of helpful information at safekids.org/nlyca. One tip is to leave your briefcase or purse in the backseat on the floor by your child.
If this article is all you ever read about the subject, share it with your spouse, parents, babysitter, daycare…anyone who drives your children.
I put up one of these posters at my son's nursery school. (Download your own at: www.safekids.org/safety-basics/daycareposter). And I linger or stall my own departure when I see a parent leave a child in the car. I just can't drive away until I see the driver quickly return.
It won't bring those innocent 15 back, but it may help prevent a number 16.
Lisa Cline is a writer at Salter-Mitchell in Alexandria, VA, where one of her primary clients is SAFE KIDS USA.
