{"id":340,"date":"2018-06-20T15:20:45","date_gmt":"2018-06-20T20:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/childwatch.com\/blog\/?p=340"},"modified":"2018-06-21T15:57:34","modified_gmt":"2018-06-21T20:57:34","slug":"prevent-dangers-to-children-in-hot-cars_tips-to-keep-them-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/childwatch.com\/blog\/2018\/06\/20\/prevent-dangers-to-children-in-hot-cars_tips-to-keep-them-safe\/","title":{"rendered":"Prevent Dangers to Children in Hot Cars: Tips to Keep Them Safe"},"content":{"rendered":"

Children in Hot Cars – How to Keep Them Safe<\/h2>\n

With summer weather already here, many organizations and law enforcement officials are reminding parents about the dangers of leaving children in hot cars.\u00a0 Many loving, caring parents believe that they could never forget their children in cars; unfortunately, statistics prove otherwise.<\/p>\n

According to www.kidsandcars.org<\/a>, in over 55% of cases, the person responsible for the child\u2019s death unknowingly \u201cforgot\u201d their child due to distractions\"Child<\/u> such as a change in driver routine, stress, or a sleeping baby in the back seat.\u00a0 In approximately 28% of cases, children got in on their own, and 13% were intentionally left alone by the driver to run an errand.\u00a0 Children in rear-facing car seats are particularly at risk since they do not appear different to the driver as to whether they are occupied or empty.<\/p>\n

A total of 755 children have died due to vehicular heat stroke since 1998.\u00a0 The average number of child vehicular heat-related deaths is 37 per year, or one every nine days<\/u>.\u00a0 Six months into 2018, nine deaths have already been reported.\u00a0 Aside from crashes, heatstroke is the leading cause of death in vehicles for children 14 years old and younger.<\/p>\n

Children are at great risk for heat stroke<\/a> as a child\u2019s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult\u2019s. Heatstroke occurs when the body temperature reaches 104 degrees; the internal organs start to shut down. When it reaches 107 degrees it is usually fatal.<\/p>\n

Danger in Just Minutes<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

According to Jan Null, CCM, Department of Meteorology and Climate Science, San Jose State University, http:\/\/noheatstroke.org<\/a>, the temperature inside a car can rise 19 degrees in just 10 minutes.\u00a0 Two-thirds of the heating occurs within the first 20 minutes.\u00a0 Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car can reach 125 degrees in minutes.\u00a0 Cracking the windows does not help slow the heating process OR decrease the maximum temperature.\u00a0 Parking a vehicle in the shade has no effect on reducing the temperature in the vehicle.<\/p>\n

Heatstroke does not only occur during the summertime or in the Sun Belt States. \u00a0This deadly issue can occur at any time of year, in any weather condition, in any community\u2014for any parent.<\/p>\n

Even in cooler temperatures, your vehicle can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. An outside temperature in the mid-60s can cause a vehicle\u2019s inside temperature to rise above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Light pouring through the windows of the car stays within the car and cracking a window does little or nothing to let heat escape.<\/p>\n

Currently only 19 states in the US have laws on the books that specifically make it illegal to leave a child unattended in a vehicle, but each state law is different.\u00a0 The penalties range from verbal warnings to second degree manslaughter.\u00a0 Is your state one of them? https:\/\/www.kidsandcars.org\/resources\/state-laws\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Look Before You Lock: No Child Left Behind<\/strong><\/em><\/h3>\n

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration\u2019s Heatstroke Kills:\u00a0 Look Before You Lock<\/strong> campaign is one way to help people remember their children in the back seat.<\/p>\n

Here are more tips to help avert a heartbreaking catastrophe and make sure no child is left behind in a vehicle.<\/h4>\n