Children in hot cars, health dept. breaks down risks
Leaving children in a hot car is a crime that unfortunately we hear about every summer. An Easton man is facing charges for doing just that.
Investigators hear all the excuses…”The kids were asleep and I didn’t want to wake them,” or “I just had to run into the store and quickly pick up something.”
However, the problem is that in summer heat, it takes no time at all for an air conditioned car to go from comfortable to an oven.
Jennifer Johnson, the supervisor of chronic disease programs at the Wicomico County Health Department says, “We’ve already had eight deaths this year.” She’s referring to the number of deaths in the U.S. caused by leaving children in hot cars. One of them occurred just over the bridge in Baltimore.
Johnson continues, “People think there’s no way I could ever do that. Don’t you think the parents it’s happened to say the same thing?”
On the Eastern Shore, a 38-year-old Easton man now faces two counts of neglect of a minor, two counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of confinement of a child for leaving a two and eight- year- old in a car in the Easton Wal-Mart parking lot.
Police say it was about 80 degrees outside. However, it’s possible it was even hotter inside the car. According to kidsandcars.org, children have died from heat stroke in cars when temperatures outside are as low as 60 degrees.
Johnson says you should never leave your kids in the car. The health department even came up with tips to help caregivers.
Jennifer Johnson continues, “We encourage people to put your phone back there and put your wallet back there. Put something back there that you’re definitely going to need when you get of out the car so you don’t forget.”
They also have pointers for those who may not have kids. Johnson replies, “I’ve heard of one situation where the neighbor had their car unlocked and the child went over and was playing in their car.”
In other words, keep vehicles sealed. Johnson also gives advice for onlookers, “If you are anywhere where you see children or pets that are in a vehicle that is closed up, please report it.”
According to the Easton Police Department, about 38 children die in hot cars each year.
In terms of the man in Easton who is facing charges, it is not clear what his relationship is to the kids he reportedly left in his car. He is due in court for his trial next month.
