Reminder for the approaching summer season: Always check the back seat of your vehicle before securing it to avoid tragic hot car deaths.
As summer approaches, hot, sunny days are expected, and it's crucial to remember the dangers that come with leaving children unattended in vehicles. The University of Kentucky has issued a warning about the deadly consequences of heatstroke in cars.
A child's body heats up three to five times faster than an adult's, making them particularly susceptible to the harmful effects of high temperatures. Tragically, on average, a child dies from heatstroke every nine days in the U.S.
To prevent such tragedies, it's essential to ACT: Avoid leaving children unattended in cars, Create reminders, and Take action if you see a child alone in a car.
Never leave a child alone in a car, not even for a minute. If you see a child alone in a car, get them out as quickly as possible and dial 911 immediately. Emergency personnel are trained to evaluate and check for signs of heatstroke.
To help remember to check the backseat, keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child's car seat when it's empty and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat. You can also create location-based reminders in your phone to alert you to check the backseat when you arrive at your destination.
Keep your car locked when you're not inside to prevent children from getting in on their own. It's also important to keep keys and remote entry fobs out of children's sight and reach.
Placing and securing your phone, briefcase, or purse in the backseat when traveling with your child can serve as an additional reminder to check the backseat before exiting the car.
If a child's body temperature rises above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, organ damage, coma, and death are possible. A hot car can reach temperatures of up to 19 degrees higher than the outside temperature in just ten minutes, making it a dangerous environment for children.
Cracking the window, parking under a tree, or using a reflective shade in the windshield does little to cool a car. In some cases, children climb into unlocked cars and become trapped, so it's important to keep your car locked when it's not in use.
Young children are particularly susceptible to heatstroke due to their smaller body surface area and higher metabolic rate. In more than half of these deaths, the caregiver forgot the child was in the car. Heatstroke happens faster than people think, even on mild days.
Sherri Hannan, coordinator for Safe Kids Fayette County, emphasises the importance of these precautions. By taking simple steps, we can reduce the number of heatstroke deaths and ensure our children stay safe this summer.
