The dangers of a kid left in a car alone are far too many. The baby could feel claustrophobic, could have an anxiety attack, or even suffer a heatstroke. Which is what happened to two boys who were sadly found dead after being left alone in a hot SUV for almost nine hours.
The incident was first reported by the Richland Country Sheriff’s Department in the U.S.
According to KidsAndCars.org, around 1,000 children have died in hot cars in the U.S. since 1990 with an average of 39 deaths per year.
Twin Boys Die From Heatstroke, Become One Of The Many Cases Kids Left In Car
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The twin 20-month-old boys, Brayden and Bryson McDaniel, were found dead inside an SUV on 1 September. The vehicle was parked outside of their daycare centre the Sunshine House Early Learning Academy located in Blythewood, South Carolina.
While the exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed, Coroner Nadia Rutherford reports that the two boys likely died of heatstroke. In a press release on 2 September, Rutherford also said that the boys were accidentally left in the car by one of their parents.
As per The State, Kids and Car Safety says the temperature inside the SUV could have been as high as 120 degrees.
Rutherford adds that the twins appeared to be healthy and taken care of by their family before they died. The parents are also distraught about the death of their children.
Exams show that there are no signs of abuse or neglect in their bodies. One lung abnormality has also been found that requires further testing.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department is currently investigating the children’s deaths to figure out the timeline of the incident.
What Is Forgotten Baby Syndrome?
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As we may already be aware, this is not the first instance of a kid dying from being left in a car. Incidents of parents accidentally leaving their baby or toddler in a locked car is referred to as Forgotten Baby Syndrome. This syndrome often leads to tragic results.
This usually occurs when parents are too focused on future tasks instead of the present, which is an extremely dangerous mental state. It could also happen when a parent has a change in routine or is absent-mindedly multi-tasking.
Parents of any race, gender, income, education level and personality temperament can experience Forgotten Baby Syndrome. According to the Carlson Law Firm, it is the medical explanation of why a parent would walk away from the car without thinking about their child still in the backseat.
To always ensure your child’s safety while inside a vehicle, here are ways you can avoid Forgotten Baby Syndrome:
- Place a stuffed animal in the passenger’s seat while your child is in the car seat.
- Always double-check the front and back seats before you exit your car.
- Leave the back door of your vehicle open to see whether your baby is still in the back seat.
- If possible, place your baby’s car seat in the middle of the back seat.
- Remain alert even if your routine changes.
- Don’t answer phone calls while in the car to have your attention focused on the task at hand.
- Interact with your child while in the vehicle and hold yourself accountable for their safety.
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