Here’s the scary truth: in Malaysia, ‘Forgotten Baby Syndrome’ is a real and growing concern.
What is Forgotten Baby Syndrome?
Forgotten Baby Syndrome (FBS) is a phenomenon where children were unintentionally left in cars for a prolonged length of time.Malaysia’s average air temperature can range somewhere between 25 to 30 degrees Celsius.This usually means that the inside of cars can reach double the temperature in just a little over an hour.For adults, this may not be too big of a problem.But for children, this can be a fatal move.
Young children tend to produce more body heat compared to adults, and they do not have the proper ability to regulate body heat, too.So, combining this with the rapidly-increasing temperature of a car’s insides is a recipe for tragedy.Now, most of us may think: ‘I would never do that!’ But in reality, this can happen to anyone.
Now that we understand just how dangerous FBS is, how do we prevent our children from becoming the next victim of it?
Here are some prevention tips for you.
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Visual Reminders: Place a child's toy on the front seat as a visual cue to remember your child in the back seat.
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Routine Checks: Make it a habit to check the back seat before leaving the car, even on days when your child is not present.
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Avoid Distractions: Stay focused while driving by avoiding distractions like texting or using your phone.
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Smartphone Reminders: Utilize smartphone reminders or set child-related images as wallpapers to prompt memory checks.
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Optimal Placement: Position the child's car seat in the middle of the back seat for better visibility and safety.
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Daycare Communication: Request daycare centers to call if your child doesn't arrive on time, reducing the risk of prolonged car stays.
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Community Vigilance: Encourage community members to assist if they encounter an unattended child in a car.
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Government Support: Know about strict penalties for leaving children unattended in cars and proposed regulations for compulsory nursery calls.
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Technological Solutions: Explore innovations like Holmbergs DigitalSafety's belt buckle for added safety measures.
By following these tips and being proactive, parents can ensure safer car rides for their children and prevent cases of Forgotten Baby Syndrome.