100% of hot car child deaths are preventable!

Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke (PVH) is a significant risk in warm southern states like Florida and throughout the country each summer. Florida remains in the top two states for the number of PVH deaths. Heat stroke, also known as hyperthermia, occurs when a person’s temperature exceeds 104^oF, and the body’s thermoregulatory mechanism can no longer sustain a normal 98.6^o F temperature. Children’s thermoregulatory systems are less efficient, and their body temperatures rise 3 to 5 times faster. A child can die from heatstroke if left unattended in a hot car, even for a short period. Death can occur at a body temperature of 107^o F very quickly.

Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths

As of last week, 1014 children have died in hot cars due to PVH since 1998. Of the children that have died in the United States, more than half of the deaths (54%) are children under 2 years old.

• 52% forgotten by the caregiver
• 25% gained access on their own
• 21% knowingly left by caregivers
• 2% unknown 

Temperatures in a car can rise 19^oF in just 10 minutes and can reach over 140^oF quickly, even in moderate weather. A dark seat or dashboard can reach 180 to 200^oF, and the air inside also rises to deadly temperatures. Cracking windows has minimal improvement.  

Parents say they would never forget their child in the car. In many cases, children are left in vehicles by parent or caregivers who forget them. Everyday stress, sleep deprivation, multi-tasking, and distractions contribute to memory failure. Many hot car tragedies occur when a routine changes, such as summer break, and the caregiver’s brain is in autopilot mode based on the previous routine, causing a failure in working-memory. It can happen to anyone.

What Can you do?

Educate other and share information with friends, families, caregivers, babysitters, clients, colleagues to raise awareness about the dangers of leaving children unattended in hot cars. 

ONCE YOU PARK, STOP. LOOK. LOCK.

• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle (not even for a minute!).
• If a child is missing, first check the pool, and then the car and trunk.
• Call 911 immediately if you see a child unattended in a car. Bystanders can save lives.
• Teach children that a car is not a play area.
• Always lock your car and keep keys remote entry devices out of reach of children.
• Make a routine of checking the back seats and rows every time you leave the car.
• Leave a purse, wallet, cell phone, or a shoe in the backseat as a reminder.
• Put a sticky note that says “Check the Back” someplace conspicuous in the front seat.
• Ensure the daycare or school notifies parents any time a child’s is late or absent.
• Teach that if they can’t get out through the doors to honk the horn to get attention.
• Avoid distractions while driving

RESOURCES:  noheatstroke.org, NHTSA, SafeKids.org, ConsumerReports.org, Healthychildren.org