A Kindergarten Teacher's Initiative to Prevent Child Heatstroke in Vehicles

Asami Koga, a former kindergarten teacher based in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture, has taken it upon herself to promote child safety in vehicles following a tragic incident that occurred in July 2021, which left a deep impact on her. The event underscored the urgency for measures to prevent children from being accidentally left in hot cars, prompting Koga to encourage kids to honk the car horn by sitting on the steering wheel, a simple act that can alert others in case of dire situations.

Koga's initiative was ignited by the shocking news of a 5-year-old boy who tragically died of heatstroke after being left inside a day nursery’s shuttle bus for an extended period. The principal of the day-care center failed to check the bus after dropping the children off, leaving the boy in extreme heat for hours. This incident resonated deeply with Koga, who has firsthand experience as a kindergarten teacher and recalled the importance of monitoring children's safety rigorously.

The haunting memory of her own past experiences at school, where she was once reprimanded for a minor oversight, drives Koga's commitment to preventing similar tragedies. After every trip, she meticulously checked the bus for any undetected items to avoid leaving a child behind, believing safeguarding their lives was paramount. Koga remembered being chastised by the principal regarding the grave implications of neglecting a child's safety, highlighting that the responsibilities associated with caring for children are significant.

In light of continued mishaps, including a similar incident where another child died in Shizuoka Prefecture, Koga was resolute about the need for immediate action. To combat this pressing issue, she co-founded a citizens group named Te To Te, which advocates for the life-saving technique of using the car horn as an alert system. By teaching children this essential skill, Koga hopes to empower them to act if they find themselves in dangerous situations, regardless of their physical strength.

Koga has taken further steps to reinforce this message by creating and distributing stickers that promote this safety practice, successfully raising awareness within the community. Her goal is to ensure that the lessons learned from past tragedies stay present and serve as a reminder of the importance of child safety. Koga has expressed her commitment to preventing such incidents, emphasizing that it is crucial to protect children from harm and never let their memories fade in vain.