Needless deaths of children left unattended in cars

IN LIGHT of recent deaths involving young children left in cars and then dying due to heat stroke, Suhakam has urged for more preventive measures by all relevant stakeholders, especially the Transport Ministry, to create a nationwide campaign warning parents and the public on this issue. Below is the full statement from Suhakam:

The Children’s Commissioner of the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) is distraught over the recent vehicular-related hyperthermia deaths of children resulting from being left unattended in the car.

It is prudent to recognise that the over-reliance on advanced child safety features has gradually taken away the innate vigilance and hinders our memories resulting in enhancing the parents’ forgetfulness.

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While the popularisation of rear-facing car seats has improved the car safety of children, it has given rise to preventable collateral incidents.

Statistics and studies have shown that these needless deaths of children happen largely to babies below three years, taking into account their underdeveloped response to threats and risks.

Parents are warned against complacency and the common belief that such incidents would never happen to them.

Prevention efforts should be ramped up by all relevant stakeholders, especially the Transport Ministry, to create a nationwide campaign warning parents and the public on this issue.

The automotive and child-care industries including baby stores are encouraged to step up in addressing and advertising the risks of death owing to their potential commercial relationship that allows raising awareness among their clients.

Section 31 of the Child Act 2001 (Act 611) is in place to be enforced on any incident that negligently places children’s safety and lives at risk.

Prosecutors are urged to join forces to educate and mainstream this issue within their informative and prosecutorial role as an agent of deterrence to the communities.

Parents are strongly advised to routinely check on the safety and presence of their children and avoid taking their safety for granted.

Dr Farah Nini Dusuki

Children’s Commissioner

Suhakam