Pop-A-Lock, the country's largest security company, wants parents and caregivers to be informed about the extreme and some times fatal dangers of locking a child in a vehicle accidentally during extreme winter temperatures through their free PALSavesKids program that aims to prevent vehicular hypothermia.
Just like during the scorching heat of summer, the frigid winter temperatures can cause chills and hypothermia if a child is left in a car exposed to snow and wind chill.
"We launched this program in 1991 to educate caregivers about the severe dangers of leaving children in unattended vehicles or mistakenly locking a child in an automobile," said Don Marks, CEO of Pop-A-Lock.
"By using our expertise in the security industry, we are able to quickly and efficiently remove children from harm. This program provides our franchise with the opportunity to thank the communities that have supported our business for so many years."
There are several risk factors that might be dangerous if a kid is left unattended in a vehicle under extreme cold temperatures. Their small body size makes them produce small amount of heat putting them at risk of frostbite faster than adults.
Aside from that, snow can block the car's exhaust pipe, and if left alone in a car, risking them for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Pop-A-Lock aims to teach caregivers and parentson the dangers of leaving children in unattended vehicles through the company's PALSavesKids Program through interaction with customers, distributing educational materials to organizations supporting caregivers and children, and through social media.
Aimed to support local firefighters and police , the program teaches parents to first call 9-1-1 and then call 1-800-Pop-A-Lock.
The Pop-A-Lock technician nearest to the scene will leave all other priorities aside to arrive as quick as they can to unlock the child from the automobile. This free community service program was originally launched in 1991 and since then has saved over 350,000 children.
PALSaves lists out ways to prevent vehicular hypothermia by avoiding locking them in cars including putting something important like your cell phone, hand bag, employee ID or briefcase on the floor board of the back seat and keeping a large stuffed animal in the child's car seat as a visual reminder that anytime the stuffed animal is up front, the caregiver is assured that the child is in the back in a child safety seat.
