Don’t leave children alone in vehicle

Bill Wilson

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 | 4:41 p.m.

Each year hundreds of children are needlessly injured, kidnapped or killed because they were left alone in motor vehicles. Unfortunately, some people can't understand how quickly and unexpectedly a car or van can become a death trap.

A vehicle can literally become an oven within minutes and a child left inside can incur heat stroke, brain damage or even death as a result of this seemingly innocent act.

Toddlers can also shift a vehicle into motion, causing themselves or others injury or death. Car windows are another potential hazard. A child could easily be choked under the pressure of power windows.

Finally, the possibility for kidnapping is always there whenever a parent or guardian leaves the child unattended for that quick errand.

Highly publicized cases in which Southern Nevada children were left alone in vehicles in recent years, which included a spate of deaths and injuries, promoted campaigns and change in law aimed at reducing this tragedy. In 2005 the Nevada State Legislature passed a law that prohibits leaving any child, 7 or younger, in a vehicle without supervision of a person who is at least 12 years of age. The punishment is up to six months jail and a $1000.00 fine.

The Boulder City Fire Department urges all parents and guardians to take your children with you whenever you leave your vehicle. For more information call 293-9228.

Bill Wilson, a firefighter-paramedic for the Boulder City Fire Department, can be reached at 293-9228.