Child dies
after being left in a car in Springfield, police say
ARLINGTON, Va. (7News) — A
child has died after being left in a car in Springfield, Fairfax
County Police say.
It happened in the 6700 block of Grey
Fox Drive.
Fairfax County Police say a child is dead
after being left inside a car on Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2021. (7News)
Stifling heat continues to overspread the DMV and will
likely become more dangerous over the coming days, according to
the StormWatch7 team.
The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) reports that there have been more than
883 child hot car deaths in the U.S. since 1998. In both 2018
and 2019, a record 53 children died of vehicular heatstroke.
Those who have researched the topic have found that:
About 46% of the time when a child was forgotten, the caregiver
meant to drop the child off at a daycare or preschool.
Thursdays and Fridays — the end of the workweek — have had the
highest deaths.
Nearly 75% of children who are forgotten and
die are under 2 years old.
Tips for parents include:
Place a briefcase, purse, or cell phone next to the child’s car
seat so that you’ll always check the back seat before leaving
the car.
Keep a stuffed animal or another memento in your
child’s car seat when it’s empty. Move it to the front seat as a
visual reminder when your child is in the back seat.
Set a
rule for your child care provider; have them call you if your
child doesn’t arrive as scheduled