Reflecting on the Incident
Despite the absence of flames, Perna can’t help but think about what might have happened under different circumstances. On that day, she was with her mother, who helped get her older daughter out of the car. Typically, Perna would have been alone, and it would have taken her much longer to reach Luca.
“Normally I’d be getting the two kids out of the car alone and it would have taken much longer to get to Luca,” she said. “In hindsight, I really think he would have been burned” if she hadn’t noticed the smoke and moved him out of the car so quickly.
A Viral Warning
Perna posted her story on Facebook, and it has since been shared 346,000 times since the incident occurred on June 12. Her hope is that her story will prompt other parents to be cautious. As a result of this scare, Perna decided to remove the mirror from her car and won’t be getting another one.
“It was very scary,” she said. “It all happened very, very fast.”
Emily Perna’s experience serves as a crucial reminder of the potential hazards that can come from everyday items like car seat mirrors. Her quick thinking and decisive action prevented what could have been a far more serious situation. Parents everywhere can learn from her story to ensure the safety of their children, especially when it comes to items meant to make our lives easier but which can sometimes pose unexpected risks.
