Clalit Experts Warn Parents to Prevent Child Heatstroke in Cars This Summer

Yael Reichental, head of the Education and Health Promotion Department at Clalit in the Dan-Petah Tikva district, issued crucial safety recommendations to prevent children from being accidentally left in locked cars during the hot summer months. She emphasized that even a brief moment of leaving a child alone in a vehicle can be dangerous, as temperatures inside can rise rapidly. Reichental urged parents to always take their children with them when exiting the car, regardless of how short the stop might seem, warning that distractions such as phone calls or unexpected tasks can easily divert attention.

She highlighted that stress and rushing can impair memory, so parents should slow down, act calmly, and allow extra time before leaving home to reduce pressure. Engaging multiple senses, looking at, touching, and listening to the child before exiting, can help reinforce memory. Reichental also cautioned against mobile phone use while handling children, as it can reduce focus.

Another key recommendation is to perform a quick scan of the car before leaving to ensure no child or important items remain inside. Avoiding automatic, routine actions helps prevent overlooking details. Parents should develop a habit of first removing the child from the car before taking out bags or belongings. Speaking aloud phrases like "the child is with me" can serve as memory aids. Even when stepping out briefly, informing the child verbally is important.

Clalit suggests adopting a simple mnemonic "T.M.V.N.H" standing for Baby (Tinyeh), Keys (Maftehot), Verification (Vidu), Mobile (Nayad), and a final glance (Hatzatsa) inside the car before walking away. Reichental concluded that these few seconds of deliberate attention and checking can save lives, stressing that a picture is worth a thousand words, and in this case, a moment of pause is invaluable.