Proposal To Ban Tinted Window To Prevent Hot Car Deaths

The recent deaths of young children who were left in cars and died as a result of thermal injury are cause for concern. According to a statement issued by The Star on Thursday (Oct 26), it only takes 20 to 30 minutes under full sun in a closed vehicle to kill a young child.

This is not just a Malaysian problem but a worldwide worry.  For instance, since 1990, over 1,000 children have died in "hot vehicles" in the US, while over 7,000 more have survived with various injuries.
Referred to as the "forgotten baby syndrome," three child fatalities following their abandonment in a car have been reported in Malaysia during the past two months.

The Vibes reported that the Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development (KPWKM) has received proposals, one of which calls for the outlawing of tinted car windows in the wake of the tragic incidents.
Another idea, according to its minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, is for kindergartens or nurseries to contact the parents of absent children.

“I am aware of such cases and we are working on enhancing the current standard operating procedures (SOP) to prevent recurrences.

“The Forgotten Baby Syndrome is indeed worrying, and we certainly want to prevent hot car deaths,” she said. The minister added that she has been under pressure to take action to address such cases but clarified that she could only act within the purview of her ministry.

Some social media users recommend placing a child in the front seat to keep parents alert, but data shows that the safest place for your child is in the backseat. Therefore, putting them in the front seat is not a good idea.

The majority of evidence and international expert guidelines recommend that young children under the age of five be placed in a back seat, preferably in the centre back seat. It is illegal in many developed countries to place a child in a car seat in the front passenger seat because the passenger airbag poses a danger in the event of an accident.

What other proposals, besides the prohibition of tinted windows, are there to prevent this tragic incident from recurring?

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section.