FORT LAUDERDALE – A record-breaking heat wave spreading across the US East Coast during the first week of the summer warns child advocates that they remain in heated vehicles about the risk of heat stroke.
So far, nine children have been killed after being left in vehicles in California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, New Jersey, North Carolina, California, Florida, Louisiana, New Mexico, New Jersey and North Carolina, according to Children and Auto Safety. Five people passed away in June.
And last year, 39 US children died after being left in a hot car.
Why is a hot car so dangerous for children?
Scientists say that human-induced climate change continues to dial temperatures and extreme weather. But outside temperatures don’t need children to be extremely hot in cars affected by the heat, said Safe Kids Palm Beach County Director Kathy Wall.
“Inside, the vehicle can heat up to 20 degrees in just 20 minutes,” Wall said. “So if you imagine it’s a cool day in South Florida, 80 degrees, then it could go above 100 degrees within 10 minutes in the car.”
Hot car deaths can occur anytime, according to the National Safety Council, and since 1998, all states other than Alaska have reported hot car deaths. In both 2018 and 2019, 53 children died after being left in a hot car.
About 80% of the heat rise in a vehicle occurs when the highest temperature can exceed 150 degrees Fahrenheit, or remains inside, according to data compiled by Jan Null, a certified consulting meteorologist at San Jose State University.
“Children sweat much less than adults, and internal temperatures can increase 3-5 times faster than adults. So it’s important to make sure that children are not left in the car, especially during these temperature increases.”
It can happen to anyone
It’s easy to take responsibility for keeping your kids in the car, but even people trained to know the dangers know that they’ve made that tragic mistake, Wall said.
“It’s not a socioeconomic group, not a cultural group,” she said. “This sadly happened to the doctor, it happened to the dentist, it happened to the teacher at the school, it happened to the childcare workers. No one is exempt from this.”
She said it’s important to create routines and reminders, as distractions often lead to forgetting children in the back seat.
“It sounds crazy, but sometimes people get out of everyday life and are distracted, especially in today’s world. There’s a lot going on in the news. I’m going with my family,” she said.
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Parents who don’t normally drop off their children in daycare facilities may be distracted and forget that their children are in the car, she said.
Reminds the child in the back seat
She encourages parents and caregivers to establish routines.
“We have an acronym, ACT,” Wall said.
Abbreviation to avoid leaving children in the car.
C stands for creating the best reminder for you. Authorities suggest leaving personal items such as wallets and briefcases in the rear seats, so the back door must be opened before locking the vehicle.
T is to take action immediately. “If you see a child in your car, don’t try to figure out how long they’re in the car. Call 911 right away,” Wall said.
Some newer cars provide warnings for drivers to check passengers’ rear seats.
It is important to double check the vehicle, fire chief Derogatis said.
“If you make it a common habit, make it a habit to look at your rearview mirror to ensure something, just like you look at the mirror behind them to see if someone is behind you, or to see if you look at your side view mirror and switch lanes, to ensure you are as safe as possible,” she said.
Associated Press, by Freida Frisaro
Associated Press video journalist Cody Jackson contributed to the report.
