Rising Temperatures Heighten Risk of Child Fatalities in Vehicles

Safety advocates are raising alarms as the summer season sets in, cautioning parents and guardians about the severe danger heat poses to children left inside vehicles.

This year, nine young lives have already been tragically lost due to being left alone in cars in states like California, Florida, and New Mexico, among others, as recorded by Kids and Car Safety. The month of June alone saw five such incidents.

On average, 38 children lose their lives annually to heatstroke in vehicles, highlighting a grave issue that has claimed at least 1,134 young lives since 1990 in the U.S. The data reports an additional 7,500 or more children have suffered injuries to varying extents.

The Peril of Heat in Cars

Scientists attribute escalating weather patterns to climate change, but it doesn't need to be scorching outside for a child in a car to be at risk, explains Kathy Wall from Safe Kids Palm Beach County.

Wall describes how a car's interior can skyrocket in temperature by 20 degrees within just 20 minutes. Thus, on a day with an outside temperature of 80 degrees, the car inside can exceed 100 degrees rapidly.

These fatalities can occur any time of the year. History has shown these tragic incidents in every U.S. state except Alaska, with 2018 and 2019 marking record highs of 53 child deaths each from such circumstances.

It's crucial to recognize that about 80% of the temperature increase occurs within the first half-hour of a child being in a locked vehicle, where temperatures could peak over 150 degrees Fahrenheit, notes meteorologist Jan Null from San Jose State University.

Children are at heightened risk as their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults, which makes being left in a vehicle even more perilous during hot weather, according to Captain Karen Derogatis of Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

Mistakes Can Happen to Anyone

Blame is often quickly assigned, but even those knowledgeable of the risks can err, admits Wall. This danger spans various demographics and professions, including doctors and educators.

Distraction is a common factor in these oversights, making it crucial to develop patterns and reminders to prevent forgetting a child in the car.

Changes in daily routines or being preoccupied, which is common with today's hectic lifestyles, can lead to leaving a child unattended, Wall advises.

Implement Reminders for Vehicle Safety

Establishing consistent habits is key, Wall urges, introducing the acronym ACT to guide guardians.

'A' stands for avoid – never leave a child alone in a vehicle. 'C' is for create – implement reminders unique to you, such as placing a personal item in the backseat. 'T' denotes action – if a child is seen alone, contact emergency services immediately.

Newer vehicles are now equipped with alerts reminding drivers to inspect the backseat before exiting, a potentially life-saving feature.

Checking the rear of the vehicle each time you park, similar to frequently using mirrors while driving, can ensure the safety of any young passengers or pets, recommends Derogatis.