Tragic Death of Carrollton Twins Left in a Hot Car a Wake Up Call for Parents

If you live in or around Carrollton, you have probably read or heard about the tragic story of a pair of twins who died this summer after being left in a hot car for hours. The toddlers, Ariel Roxanne North and Alaynah Maryanne North, passed away after attempts to cool their bodies and revive them failed. The girls’ father, who left them in the sweltering car in a parking lot while visiting a friend (and allegedly consuming alcohol) has been charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter and faces up to 30 years in prison.

Sadly, this tragedy is not uncommon. According to the national safety organization KidsAndCars, 24 children have died so far this year after being left in hot cars, already exceeding the previous year’s total. The average yearly number since 1998 has been 37, according to the National Safety Council. Since 1990, the highest yearly total was in 2010, when 49 children died in these thoroughly avoidable cases.

Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car that has been sitting in direct sunlight can reach 125 degrees in a matter of minutes. In fact, 80% of the increase in temperature happens in the first 10 minutes.

According to safety advocates, there are two primary ways children wind up unattended in a hot car: children either climb into a car on their own or a distracted adult leaves them in the car. KidsAndCars recommends that parents and caregivers follow a number of safety tips to prevent these occurrences, including:

• Never leave children alone in or around cars; not even for a minute.
• “Look Before You Lock” – Get in the habit of always opening the back door to check the back seat before leaving your vehicle.
• Put something you’ll need like your cell phone, handbag, employee ID or brief case, etc., in the back seat so that you have to open the back door to retrieve that item every time you park.
• Keep a large stuffed animal in the child’s car seat. When the child is placed in the car seat, put the stuffed animal in the front passenger seat. It’s a visual reminder that the child is in the back seat.
• Keep vehicles locked at all times, even in driveways or garages.
• Keep car keys and remote openers out of reach of children.
• If a child goes missing, immediately check the inside passenger compartments and trunks of all vehicles in the area very carefully, even if they are locked
• If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. Call 911 immediately. If the child seems hot or sick, get them out of the vehicle as quickly as possible.
• Be especially careful during busy times, schedule changes and periods of crisis or holidays.

At The Parian Law Firm in metro Atlanta, Georgia, we represent injury victims exclusively and are committed to getting justice and compensation for our clients. Please contact us at (770) 727-5550 or chat live online with a member of our staff today.