The heat dome that has been gripping much of the country for over a week continues to create dangerous conditions for millions.
On average, 181 people die from heat-related illnesses each year in the U.S., with children being among the most vulnerable. A child’s body heats up three times faster than an adult’s.
Approximately 40 children die in hot cars each year, which amounts to about one child every nine days. The majority of these children are under the age of 3.
Since 1990, over 1,000 children have tragically died in hot cars. In nearly every case, a caring parent unintentionally left the child in the backseat.
“It’s one of those things that nobody really believes could happen to them because if you love your children, you are constantly thinking about them. The thought of losing awareness that they are with you or forgetting about them is unimaginable. After studying this issue for 30 years and working with affected families, we have learned that this can happen to even the most loving, responsible, educated, attentive parent,” said Amber Rollins, director of the nonprofit Kids and Car Safety.
A change in routine, lack of sleep, stress, and other distractions are some of the factors that contribute to these tragedies.
“It doesn’t have to be a significant change in routine. It could be as simple as receiving a phone call in the car or taking a different route to work,” Rollins added.
Over the past two decades, Kids and Car Safety has been advocating for Congress to mandate the installation of technology in new vehicles that would detect and alert parents if a child is left in the backseat.
But the battle continues.
Preventing hot car deaths in children
There are some simple habits that can help keep your child safe:
- Place the diaper bag in the front seat as a visual reminder.
- You can also place a personal item in the back seat, such as your employee ID badge or cell phone.
- Another precaution is to ask your child care provider to notify you immediately if your child is not at the facility.
The interior of a car can quickly reach 125 degrees in minutes on a summer day. Tragically, children have died in conditions where the outside temperature was just 60 degrees.
Until lawmakers mandate heat safety detectors in vehicles, which is making some progress, the best thing parents can do for now is to use visual reminders to prevent these horrific incidents.
Heat is the leading cause of weather-related fatalities in general.
