Fort Lauderdale, Florida – A record heat wave that affected the East Coast of the United States during the first week of summer has prompted child advocates to raise awareness about the dangers of heatstroke for children left in hot vehicles.
So far this year, nine children have tragically died after being left unattended in vehicles in states including California, Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, New Jersey, and North Carolina, according to Kids and Car Safety, which tracks hot car deaths.
Of these, five occurred in June alone. In total, 39 children died in the U.S. in 2022 due to being left in hot cars.
Why Hot Cars Are Dangerous for Children
The danger of hot cars is especially concerning during extreme weather, with human-caused climate change increasing the frequency of high temperatures.
But even on relatively cool days, the heat inside a car can quickly become life-threatening for children. Kathy Wall, director of Safe Kids Palm Beach County, explains:
“Inside, the vehicle can heat up 20 degrees in just 20 minutes,” Wall said. “So if you imagine it’s an 80-degree day, which in South Florida is a cool day, it could be over 100 degrees within 10 minutes inside the car.”
Heatstroke can occur quickly, with the temperature inside the vehicle reaching over 150 degrees Fahrenheit (65 degrees Celsius) within the first 30 minutes, according to data compiled by Jan Null, a meteorologist at San Jose State University.
Why it Can Happen to Anyone
Hot car deaths are a tragic event that can happen to anyone. While it’s easy to place blame, even trained professionals have fallen victim to this mistake. Wall mentions:
“It’s not a socioeconomic group, it’s not a cultural group… sadly, it’s happened to doctors, dentists, school teachers, child care workers. Nobody is exempt from this.”
Distractions are often the cause of parents forgetting their child in the backseat. Wall advises parents to establish consistent routines and use reminders to avoid this tragedy.
Creating a Reminder for Your Child in the Backseat
Wall encourages parents and caregivers to adopt a simple strategy with the acronym ACT:
- A: Avoid leaving a child unattended in a vehicle.
- C: Create a reminder that works best for you, such as placing a personal item like a purse or briefcase in the backseat to ensure you open the back door before locking the car.
- T: Take action immediately. If you see a child in a car, call 911 right away without trying to figure out how long the child has been there.
Some newer cars have systems that alert drivers to check the backseat for passengers.
Read Also: Oakland Mother Desperate for Answers After Daughter’s Disappearance in January
Double Checking for Safety
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Captain Karen Derogatis emphasizes the importance of making it a habit to double-check your vehicle. “Make it a common habit, just like you would look in your rearview mirror to see if somebody’s behind you. Just ensure that the child or any other passenger is as safe as possible,” she says.
By following these simple steps and creating reminders, parents can prevent such heartbreaking tragedies and keep their children safe.
What are your thoughts on ways to protect children from the dangers of hot cars? Let us know in the comments below.
For more information, visit ridgecrestpact.org.
