Kern Family Health Care | Family Health | Spring 2016

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M otor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of
death for Kern County children ages 1 to
14 years old. However, heatstroke in vehicles
is the leading cause of all non-crash-related deaths
involving children 14 and younger. This is followed
by children who were backed over in driveways and
parking lots or trapped in car trunks.
These deaths are completely preventable. Each of
us has a role to protect our children. Listed below are
some ideas that can fit any busy schedule.
If you have a few minutes:
■ ■ Share the materials on car safety at
with family and
friends through email, Facebook or Twitter.
■ ■ Never leave a child alone in a parked
car, even with windows rolled down
or air conditioning on. A child’s body
temperature can heat up three to five
times faster than adult’s can. A core temperature of
107 degrees is lethal.
■ ■ Look before you lock! Always open the back door
and check for kids before you lock the doors. Make it
a habit to look into cars as you walk to and from your
car in parking lots. If you see a child alone in a vehicle,
take action. If they are hot or seem sick, get them out
as quickly as possible. Call 911 right away.
■ ■ Take a five-second walk all the way around your car
before you get in to let you see children playing behind or
in front of the car. Roll down your window so you can hear
what’s happening around your car. Back your car out slowly.
■ ■ Hold your child’s hand firmly while walking froma car into
a building. Explain how cars that are parked can suddenly
move or back up. The driver may not see him or her.
■ ■ Not sure if you can afford a car seat? The Kern
County Department of Public Health offers a car seat
workshop and voucher program. Call 661-868-0203 to
learn more.
■ ■ Don’t wait until your teen is old enough to drive to
model good driving behaviors. Don’t talk on the phone,
text, speed or drive without your seat belt when driving.
Source:
children’s health
Keeping kids safe
in and around cars
Look before
you lock!
3 KFHC mailing address: 9700 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93311 family health