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Deanie Wimmer ReportingA preschooler may have saved a toddler from serious injury by using the safety training he received just a few days earlier. In focusing on safety stories, we'll often say, it's not about being scared, it's about staying safe. And here's proof, from a five-year-old boy.
In the juggle to get three little boys into the grocery store, something escaped mom's view that alarmed five-year-old Garon Mower.
Shannon Mower, Mom: "This little guy taps me on the shoulder and says, ‘Mom, look right there.' And the car next to us slumped over, sweating. He said, ‘There's a little girl stuck back there and she's sweating.'"
Garon has strong opinions on children left alone in hot cars. He learned the dangers days earlier at a car safety demonstration. KSL covered it and taped Garon and his family looking at the thermometer of a closed car.
That lesson clearly stayed with him. They alerted a store manager, who paged the license plate over the intercom and ran to the parking lot.
James Walker, Shift Manager: "I responded immediately, because I have children myself and I would never leave my children unattended, especially a baby, in a car on a warm day at all."
The mother arrived before they called emergency teams.
James Walker, Shift Manager: "When the mother came to the car, I mentioned to her that was a very dangerous situation for that child to be in."
Shannon Mower: "She didn't seem to think it was that big of a deal, but it was."
It's discouraging that parents still need to get the message, don't leave children alone in the car. On the other hand, it's eye opening to see how a little instruction can impress that same message on a child.
