Injury Prevention Program at Vidant Medical Center Urges Pitt County to Help Protect Children from Heat Stroke | Eastern North Carolina Now

    For Immediate Release:

Injury Prevention Program at Vidant Medical Center Urges Pitt County to Help Protect Children from Heat Stroke

    Who: Safe Kids Pitt County and the Eastern Carolina Injury Prevention Program at Vidant Medical Center

    What: Media event to learn more about the dangers of children in hot cars. A s'mores demonstration will be provided.

    When: Wednesday, July 10, 2013

    Time and location: 12:00 - 2:00 pm

Target

3040 S. Evans Street
Greenville, NC

    Since 1998, more than 500 children across the United States have died from heat stroke when unattended in a vehicle. Safe Kids Pitt County reminds caregivers to never leave children alone in cars. As a determined advocate in preventing heat stroke, Safe Kids Pitt County and Safe Kids coalitions nationwide have united to educate parents and caregivers with preventative tips to avoid these tragedies.

    These incidents are happening far too often. Safe Kids Coalitions across the US have worked diligently to host hundreds of "Never Leave Your Child Alone" events, which include ad campaigns, brochures, tip sheets, posters and flyers, and heavy engagement from the local community.

    "As these tragedies continue to occur, Safe Kids Pitt County is intensifying our efforts to get the message out that the inside of a vehicle is an extremely dangerous place for a child alone in hot weather," said Ellen M. Walston, Safe Kids Pitt County. "Even on a mild day, the inside of a car can quickly become very hot. This is a place no child should be alone, and because children's bodies heat up three to five times faster than adult bodies do, making them much more susceptible to heat stroke."

    Although most would assume this would never happen to them, there is no common description of the caregiver who has experienced this tragedy. It has happened to the rich and poor, educated and less educated, women and men, city dwellers and suburbanites.

    "Reaching parents and caregivers with ways to prevent these tragedies will no doubt help keep kids safe. These heartbreaking incidents can happen to anyone, and public education is vital to combating these preventable occurrences," said Walston.

    Nine out of ten parents report that they never leave their child alone in a car, but for the one parent who does, things can end tragically. Never leave your child alone in a car, even for a minute.

    Together, we can cut down the number of deaths and near-misses by remembering to ACT.

    Avoid heat stroke-related injury and death by:

    •   Never leaving your child alone in the car, even for a minute.

    •   Consistently locking unattended vehicle doors and trunks.

    Create reminders and habits that give you and your child's caregiver a safety net:

    •   Establish a peace-of-mind plan. When you drop off your child, make a habit of calling or texting all other caregivers, so all of you know where your child is at all times.

    •   Place a purse, briefcase, gym bag, cell phone or any other item that is needed at your next stop in a back seat.

    •   Set the alarm on your cell phone or computer calendar as a reminder to drop your child off at child care.

    Take action if you see an unattended child in a vehicle:

    •   Dial 911 immediately and follow the instructions that emergency personnel provide - they are trained to determine if a child is in danger.

    For more information on preventing child heat stroke deaths, please visit www.ggweather.com/heat and www.safekids.org/heatstroke.

    About Safe Kids Pitt County

    Safe Kids Pitt County works to prevent unintentional childhood injury, the leading cause of death and disability to children up to age 19. Safe Kids Pitt County is a member of Safe Kids Worldwide, a global network of organizations dedicated to preventing unintentional injury. Safe Kids Pitt County was founded in 1996 and is led by Vidant Medical Center.

    Contact: Beth Anne Atkins, Vidant Health Strategic Development, (252) 847-7735 or beth.atkins@VidantHealth.com

    Vidant Health, a mission-driven, not-for-profit corporation, owns, leases or has a majority membership interest in nine eastern North Carolina hospitals and has a management agreement with one other. The health system includes Albemarle Health, Vidant Beaufort Hospital, Vidant Bertie Hospital, Vidant Chowan Hospital, Vidant Duplin Hospital, Vidant Edgecombe Hospital, The Outer Banks Hospital, Vidant Medical Center, Vidant Pungo Hospital, Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital, Vidant Home Health and Hospice, Vidant Wellness Centers, Vidant Medical Group and is affiliated with the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University. On the web at www.vidanthealth.com