As parents, you carefully select the best school for your child. You choose educators you can trust to nurture your child's intelligence and make sure they're safe. But what if the school itself poses dangers to your child? The parents of a four-year-old boy locked in school bus learned this in the worst way possible.
Four-Year-Old Boy Locked in School Bus for Hours Dies: Who Is To Blame?
An Asia One report states the tragic death of the four-year-old boy happened on the morning of May 24. He was one of eight kindergarten passengers driven to school by the bus driver. But while the others were dropped off, the little one was somehow left behind.
Allegedly unaware, the bus driver, who was working part-time for the school, had driven to another workplace. He then locked the school bus and left it in the parking lot.
At three in the afternoon, the four-year-old boy was found unconscious inside the school bus. They tried to revive him, but to no avail. The boy eventually died. The incident happened in China.
After authorities looked into Xinxing Kindergarten, they found that the school currently has no license to operate. Both the driver and the school principal were detained due to negligence.
Our hearts go out to the young boy's family. May they find peace, as well as justice, during this trying time.
How Could This Tragedy Have Been Prevented?
Each year, hundreds of children worldwide die after being forgotten in cars. The key is to always be careful and to know that accidents like this can happen at any time, anywhere in the world.
To better prevent this tragedy from happening, remember these six safety rules:
1. Never leave your child in a car, even with the windows down
"There is no safe amount of time to leave children alone in the car," Dr Nathan Allen, an emergency medicine doctor at the University of Chicago, tells WebMD, adding how kids are more at risk for heat-related illness and injury than adults.
Even if you just need to hop in a store quickly, no matter how briefly you plan to leave them, there's no telling what could happen.
2. Remember that anything can happen, even if it's not too hot out
Temperatures can spike in an instant, especially in Asia. Note, too, that leaving the air-conditioning on can be even more dangerous! When left running along with the engine, it can result in carbon monoxide poisoning that could potentially be fatal.
3. Be vigilant about other kids' safety
Call and alert the police immediately if you find kids locked in cars. Being a helpful bystander can do much good in your community. If you see kids in distress, make sure to get them out as soon as possible or ask for help from others.
4. Give yourself concrete reminders
When you're in a rush, it's easy to forget even the simplest of things. Forgetting a sleeping child can happen to even the most hands-on parent. Place a stuffed toy or your bag beside your child, for instance, while reminding yourself to constantly check on them.
5. Make sure the car is a no-play zone
Sometimes kids can wander inside cars or trunks. Keep your car keys out of the reach of curious tots so that they don't locked inside accidentally!
6. Check with your child's school if they have arrived safely
Even if you completely trust your child's bus driver or schoolteacher, it always pays to be extra safe and check if they made it to school safely.
Most importantly, look before you lock, moms and dads!
This sad incident happened in China. However, it serves as a reminder to all parents whose kids travel by school bus to have a word with their kids and the school bus service/administration, about safety measures in place to prevent such incidents.
If there are no safety measures in place already, then it's time to get a discussion started.
ALSO READ: Baby gets locked up in car accidentally, parents panic
Republished with permission from: theAsianParent Singapore