The Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP) of the Hamad Trauma Center has issued a list of best practices to keep residents, especially their kids, in Qatar safer while in cars during the hot weather.
HIPP shares the following basic recommendations to keep children safe from the extreme heat while in cars:
* It is not safe at all to leave a child unattended in a vehicle for any amount of time, even for a minute.
* Be sure that all children with you are leaving the car too, specially the younger ones.
* If you can’t find one of the children, always check the car in case a child is hiding inside.
* Make a reminder that your child is in the car with you. For example, you could put your child’s bag or lunch box on the front seat where you can see it.
* Leave something on the back seat next to your child. Choose an item that you’ll need at the end of the car trip, like your phone, wallet or bag.
* Always keep your car locked when you’re not in the car, especially in your garage at home, so your child doesn’t get in to play or hide inside.
* Never give your child car keys to play with and make sure to keep keys out of reach. This can help to prevent your child from accidentally locking himself in the car.
* Talk to your child about not playing with the buttons inside the car and activate the child lock so he/she cannot control the door locks.
The following tips can help keep your child comfortable and safe when you’re driving in hot conditions:
* Give your child plenty of water to drink during car trips.
* Dress your child in cool, comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
* Check the temperature of car seats, harnesses and seat belts before your child gets into the car. Hot metal, plastic or leather can burn your child. If surfaces are hot, cover them with a damp cloth and then help your child into the car.
* Don’t loosen your child’s harness in summer – it must fit snugly whether he’s awake or asleep. A loose or twisted harness can put your child at risk of injury in a crash.
* Use shades on your car windows to protect your child from the sun if your windows aren’t tinted. Avoid putting a hood or bonnet over a capsule to protect a baby from the sun, because this reduces air circulation.
* Plan car travel for the cooler times of the day if you can. Cool your car as much as possible before you let your child get in.
In case your child develops any heat related illness symptoms like sweating, dehydration or confusion you should take him/her to a cooler area immediately to reduce body temperature and call 999 for proper guidance.
SOURCE – https://www.thepeninsulaqatar.com/article/04/09/2021/Hamad-Trauma-Center-lists-best-practices-to-keep-kids-safe-in-hot-weather
