JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When summer temperatures are searing hot, keeping kids safe during summer is of the utmost importance, which is why child safety advocates reminded parents and caregivers that it only takes a minute for tragedy to strike.
For Pamela Paige, tragedy has hit home.
July 19 will mark one year since Paige’s granddaughter, Ariya, died after being left in a hot car in Baker County.
“I always say, ‘If I could just turn back the clock, if we could just turn back the clock and get Ariya back’,” Paige said. “You never, ever consider that it can happen to you.”
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The child’s babysitter is now charged in the case.
Since Ariya’s death, Paige and her family members have advocated for child safety — even pushing the Florida Legislature to create “Ariya’s Law,” which declares April as “Hot Car Death Prevention Month.”
The law also aims to spread awareness and education.
“We advocate for that because, number one, to prevent this from happening to other children. Number two, for Ariya to never be forgotten again,” Paige explained.
Last week, a child died in a hot car in Bradenton. And this week, a 2-year-old child was pulled from a hot car in Ormond Beach, according to a news report.
Hot car deaths are just the beginning. Child drownings are also a concern, child safety advocates said they tend to happen more in the hotter months.
Leah Othmer with Safe Kids Northeast Florida said it’s important for parents and caregivers to remember drowning can happen in an instant.
“I think the common misconception is that drowning is not a big production, it is a very silent event,” Othmer said. “In movies and TV shows it is popularized as a lot of flailing around, a lot of yelling, and screaming, but it is a silent event.”
Othmer said many times, a drowning occurs during a pool party with multiple people around. That’s why Safe Kids Northeast Florida gives out Water Watcher tags. When a person wears the Water Watcher tag, it means they have been designated as the adult whose sole job is to keep their eyes on children in the pool.
Othmer said it’s important for adults to switch out.
“I like to tell parents and caregivers to change intervals with other parents and caregivers,” Othmer explained. “So, maybe every 15 minutes or so, you can give the Water Watcher tag or whatever else you’re using to designate the adult, but pass it to a different adult. So, you can enjoy yourself at the party as well.”
Whether in the pool or in the car, knowing hot days will continue in the months ahead, being extra careful can save lives. Paige said while Ariya’s Law is a great start, it’s only the beginning.
“We’re going to advocate for more because I don’t understand how we can be so mindful of speeding and not wanting to get a ticket for speeding,” Paige said. “Or not wanting to get a ticket for not having your seatbelt on, but there needs to be more laws to make people more accountable. Because, for some reason that you know, we’re more cautious when we know that there’s more penalties behind things.”
Paige said her life’s mission now is to help save other children, in honor of her granddaughter.
“Take your children in your arms as often as you can,” Paige said. “And just imagine them not being able to be in your arms.”
To learn more about water safety, visit this website.
For information about child car safety, visit this website.
