Hot Cars, Heatstroke and Kids in the Summer: What Parents Need to Know

With the summer season underway, temperatures will be soaring in many parts of the U.S. When this happens, the incidence of heatstroke may rise and affect the most vulnerable: the children.

According to the National Safety Council, every year, around 38 kids under the age of 15 die because of heatstroke. The most common incident of heatstroke happens when children are left inside hot cars.

For many parents, forgetting kids inside hot cars may seem unfathomable but it happens even to the best moms or dads. That's why safety officials and emergency responders need to remind parents about "looking before locking" to prevent a horrible accident.

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Put Something in the Back Seat

Battlefield Protection District Fire Chief Shane Anderson suggested, via KY3, for parents to put something in the back seat that will force them to look or open the back door each time they park the car under the heat of the sun. This could be a handbag, a cellphone, or an item that they will always need to carry.

Some parents might even want to take off one of their shoes to throw in the back. They will surely have to look for this before stepping out of the car.

Another useful tip is to place a stuffed animal in the car. Put this toy in the front passenger seat when the baby or child is at the back. This way, the parent will not forget to take their child out of the car seat.

Windows Rolled Down Not Helpful

Dr. Susan Bankston agrees with throwing one shoe at the back of the car. She also told parents to never ever consider leaving a child inside a hot vehicle even if the windows are rolled down or if the car is partially in a shaded area. She emphasized that a hot car's temperature can rise from 10 to 20 degrees within 10 minutes.

Speaking with WAFB, Bankston said that children's small bodies will be easily depleted if the temperature is over 116 degrees. Most adults have this instinct to bang on windows or doors so someone can help them out but children do not do this.

Consider Technology

There are emerging technologies today that alert drivers to check their back seats before they leave the car. These are featured in many new vehicles and the technology is still evolving. However, parents may also use their mobile phones to set an alarm and use a different sound that cannot be easily ignored.

What Parents Must Do in Case of a Heatstroke

Parents also need to talk to their children, if they are old enough, to honk for help if the unthinkable happens. If the parents manage to get their kids out of the car, they need to be brought inside an air-conditioned room and given cold fluid. A wet sponge dabbed on the skin can help temper down the effects of heatstroke. Call 911 for further assistance.

Related Article: Twin Baby Boys Die of Hyperthermia After Being Left Inside the Car for 9 Hours