TEXAS -- The first day of summer hasn't even arrived yet, but the temperature outside is definitely making it feel like it, as a string of 100-degree days are forecasted for at least the next week.
In recent years, excessive heat has caused more deaths than all other weather events, including tornadoes, hurricanes and floods. A number of these deaths come from leaving children unattended inside a vehicle, even for a short period of time. This issue is often overlooked; therefore, it is important that our community takes the precautions necessary so that everyone can have a safe and fun summer.
Already in 2018, there has been seven reported deaths related to heat stroke while inside a vehicle.
A study made by San Jose State University concluded that 54 percent of pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths were due to a child being “forgotten” by their caregiver and 17 percent of children were “left intentionally” inside the car. As a matter of fact, the same study shows that more than half of the deaths are children under 2 years of age.
That being said, let’s run through a quick experiment to put the situation into perspective as to how deadly leaving any living thing in a car can be.
Take a look at this scenario: The air temperature outside is 80 degrees. This is the typical spring-time temperature, or a morning reading in the middle of the summer. Let’s suppose that you need to make a quick errand and you leave for about 20 minutes. Within that short period of time, the temperature inside a car has already increased to 109 degrees. Within the hour, the temperature is now at an alarming 123 degrees.
The situation becomes even more dangerous in a typical 95-degree summer afternoon. In 10 minutes, the temperature inside your vehicle has increased to 114 degrees. Half an hour later, the temperature is close to the 130-degree range. An hour later, an everyday thermometer cannot even read the 138 degrees recorded since it is so high.
No matter what time of day it is, leaving a child inside a vehicle can be deadly. Since a child’s body warms three to five times faster than an adult’s, kids are more susceptible to danger. Though not noted in the study mentioned above, pets are also often forgotten in vehicles. Let’s not forget our furry friends!
Contrary to popular belief, putting the windows down does not prevent from temperatures reaching deadly levels. Common safety precautions that you and your family can take are the following:
- Never leave children unattended in a vehicle. NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE!
- Always check the backseat. Leave your wallet or purse as a reminder.
- Always keep vehicles locked and keys out of reach.
- Make arrangements with your childcare provider to call if your child is absent from their care.
- CALL 9-1-1 if you see a child alone in a vehicle.
100 percent of heatstroke deaths of children in cars are preventable. Let’s inform our community about these precautions so that we can all have an enjoyable summer, and don’t forget to LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK!
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