Dangers of hot cars

Summer is in full swing and that means it's not only hot outside, but the temperature inside your car can be life-threatening. Each year, an average of 36 children die from hyperthermia after being left inside a hot car. At least 20 infants and children have died so far this year, according to a recent study by San Francisco State University (SFSU). In 2007, there were 35 fatalities. The ages range from infants to 13 years old, but the average age is about 24 months old. From 1998 to 2007, more than half of the incidents were caused by caregivers who forgot a child in the vehicle.

A car can heat up quickly even when it's relatively mild outside. On a summer day, temperatures inside the vehicle can climb more than 40 degrees in just an hour. The SFSU study points out that heatstroke occurs when a person's body temperature exceeds 104 degrees F. At just a few degrees more, 107 degrees F, cells are damaged and internal organs shut down, which can result in death. Children are particularly vulnerable, as their bodies are not as efficient as adults' bodies at managing temperatures. As a result, kids warm up much more rapidly.

Tips to help prevent these deadly accidents:

Never leave a child or pet unattended in a vehicle.

Check the car to make sure that all occupants leave the vehicle or are carried out when unloading. If you lock the door with a key, rather than with a remote, it would force that one last look in the car before leaving it.

Always lock your car and keep keys and remotes away from children.

Keep a stuffed animal in the passenger seat as a reminder of a child in the backseat.

Have a plan that your childcare provider will call you if your child does not show up.

For additional information on keeping your children  safe in and around motor vehicles, visit the Kids and Cars Web site.  Also, check out our car safety video above and learn more about hot cars. And do take extra care during the summer months to ensure that children and pets are not left behind.

—Liza Barth

Comments

[victor rams]

Hello.

Please note that there are many safety systems out there to avoid children being left alone in cars. But not one is being used. Why not?

Recently, I obtained a patent on a child detection system. I’ve tried to get a car manufacturer to buy it, but nobody seems to be interested?

Something should be done to make the Federal Government or the auto industry use a system to make our kids safer!

[Arnold Rothstein]

Why do cars still reach 170 degrees? I realize they're big metal boxes with windows, bur there have been incredible advances in materials sciences in the last forty years. It would seem that some technology or other would have trickled into the car industry by now.