A severe heat wave sweeping the East Coast of the US at the start of summer has alarmed child advocates about the heightened risk of heat stroke for children left in vehicles.
As many as nine children have lost their lives after being left in cars in states like California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, New Jersey, and North Carolina, as noted by Children and Auto Safety.
This month alone, five individuals have died from similar incidents.
Last year, the tragedy claimed 39 children’s lives in the United States due to being left in hot vehicles.
Why is a hot car so dangerous for children?
Experts indicate that climate change is driving up temperatures and causing extreme weather, but cars can become dangerously hot even on relatively mild days, according to Kathy Wall, the Director of Safe Kids Palm Beach County.
“In just 20 minutes, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise by 20 degrees,” Wall explained. “For instance, on an 80-degree day in South Florida, the interior could exceed 100 degrees within just 10 minutes.”
According to the National Safety Council, hot car deaths can happen at any time. Since 1998, every state except Alaska has reported such fatalities. Both 2018 and 2019 saw 53 children die in hot cars.
Data from Jan Null, a certified consulting meteorologist at San Jose State University, reveals that about 80% of the heat increase in vehicles occurs when temperatures inside can surpass 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
“Children sweat far less than adults, and their internal temperatures can spike 3-5 times faster,” Wall cautioned. “You must ensure children aren’t left in the car, especially when temperatures rise.”
It can happen to anyone
While it’s easy to assume that keeping kids safe in cars is straightforward, Wall pointed out that even those trained to recognize the dangers have made this heartbreaking mistake.
“It crosses all socioeconomic and cultural lines,” she said. “This has affected doctors, dentists, teachers, and childcare workers alike. No one is immune from this.”
She emphasized the importance of establishing routines and reminders, stating that distractions often lead to children being forgotten. “It may sound odd, but life can get overwhelming, especially with everything happening in the news. Sometimes people just forget,” she noted.
Parents who aren’t typically the ones to drop off their kids at daycare might also overlook their children sitting in the back.
Remind the child in the back seat
Wall encourages parents and caregivers to develop steadfast routines.
She mentioned an acronym, ACT, designed to prevent leaving children in the car.
C represents creating effective reminders. Authorities advise leaving personal items like wallets in the back seat, prompting you to open the rear door before locking the vehicle.
T stands for taking immediate action. “If you spot a child in a car, don’t waste time trying to assess how long they’ve been there. Dial 911 right away,” Wall emphasized.
Some newer vehicles have systems to alert drivers to check their rear seats.
It’s crucial to double-check your vehicle, according to fire chief Derogatis.
“Make it a common habit to glance at your rearview mirror to ensure everything is in order, just as you would when merging lanes,” she advised, emphasizing safety is paramount.
