On Monday, law enforcement officers in Orlando and Orange County sounded the alarm over the rising deaths occurring from heat stroke among children.
In Florida, to date, four child deaths have occurred since May with the fourth occurring last Saturday in Manatee County. The child was left in the car while his parents attended a funeral. The parents thought the child was at the babysitters house.
Nationwide, so far, the heat stroke fatality count is at 15, more than double what is was at this time last year when 6 deaths of children due to heat stroke had occurred.
In an effort to better educate parents and guardians of the perils of child heat stroke, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Orlando Police Department have teamed up with Safe Kids of Orange County, Children’s Safety Village and Child Safety Advocates to convene a press conference to get the word out.
Local police, fire, and other safety health professionals will discuss ways to prevent child deaths and injuries in hot vehicles.
Florida consistently ranks second among the states hardest hit by heat stroke fatalities.
On average about 37 children die from heath stroke annually, in the U.S. Children are left in or gain access to hot cars, trucks, vans and SUV’s. Parents are being reminded to “Look before you Lock.”
