EDITORIAL: Kids and parked cars a deadly combination

Loss of life always is regrettable, but preventable loss of life is especially difficult to accept.

That was the case last week when two more children, 15-year-old twins, died in Carrollton after authorities said they were left in a hot car.

In news reports on the tragedy, authorities said they were called to a residence Thursday where they found neighbors had removed the children from an auto and were attempting to cool them down with Ice packs in a kiddie pool. Autopsies were to have been conducted Friday, and police said they were anticipating charges against the father.

With those two deaths, KidsAndCars.org says the number of children who have died in hot cars this year — 26 — has already surpassed all of 2015, when 25 children died.

There have been numerous reports and reminders in The Albany Herald and other media about the dangers of summer heat, especially to children, older adults and pets in cars. Temperatures here have been in the high 90s and touching 100 many afternoons, and that’s not something that’s going to go away anytime soon. With the air trapped in a car superheating even above those harsh ambient temperatures, this is a very real danger that doesn’t take long to develop. The heat spikes in cars are severe in less than 30 minutes, and the practices of “cracking” windows and running the air conditioner while the auto is parked have little to no effect. In fact, running the A/C only delays the spike.

While in some cases gross negligence is the cause, KidsAndCars.org notes that of the 26 deaths this year, nine have resulted in charges being brought. In the others, it’s possible that something as simple as a change in routine can lead to a child being forgotten in a car, KidsAndCars.org notes, and in still other cases a child can get into a parked car without an adult realizing it before it’s too late.

One thing that KidsAndCars.org is pushing for is a warning system in cars that would alert the driver to the presence of a child in an auto. We all should encourage manufacturers to develop ways to do that.

Without a technological assist, however, all we can do is be vigilant and take what steps we can to ensure more children don’t become casualty statistics.

For instance, when you get out of your car, truck, van or SUV, make it a habit to check the vehicle out before you leave it.

Impress on children the dangers of getting into a parked car.

Make sure that kids who are old enough know how to unfasten seat belts and unlock doors if they’re stuck in a car.

When you exit your vehicle, lock the doors and secure the keys so that children — yours or a neighbor’s — can’t get into it without your knowledge. About 30 percent of child heatstroke deaths since 1998 have been children who got trapped in an auto, not forgotten, KidsAndCars.org says.

And finally, if you see a child, elderly adult or dog in a parked vehicle — particularly if there is any indication of distress — get involved. Call 911 and take action. It could save a life.