As summer temperatures soar, so does the risk of child deaths in hot cars. According to a recent study, the number of children who have died from heatstroke after being left in hot cars has increased significantly this summer. While this is a serious issue, we can’t help but chuckle at the ridiculousness of some of these incidents.
One such case involved a man named Bob Johnson, who left his toddler, Timmy, in the car while he ran into the grocery store. When asked about the incident, Bob stated, “I just needed to grab some milk, I didn’t think I would be in there for that long. I mean, how hot could it really get in a car?” Classic Bob.
Another parent, Karen Smith, claimed she simply forgot her baby, Sarah, was in the backseat when she went to pick up her dry cleaning. “I had a lot on my mind that day, okay? It’s not like I do this every day,” Karen explained. Uh huh, sure Karen.
In response to the rising number of child deaths in hot cars, the National Safety Council has launched a new campaign called “Don’t Be a Hot Mess, Remember Your Kids.” The campaign features catchy slogans like, “Don’t leave your kid in the back, or you’ll be feeling the heat, Jack!” and “If you forget your tot, you’re not so hot.” Truly inspiring stuff.
To combat this issue, some car manufacturers are even considering adding new safety features, such as alarms that go off when a child is left in the backseat or sensors that detect movement in the backseat after the car has been turned off. Because apparently, common sense just isn’t cutting it for some people.
So, as we continue to bask in the summer heat, let’s all take a moment to remember our little ones in the backseat. And if you can’t remember, maybe invest in a babysitter or a nanny. Or better yet, just don’t have kids. It’s all about priorities, people.
