Even as we move into fall, temperatures can remain elevated throughout our county. Children's well being and safety relies on our attention and care. Please see the below guidelines from the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) and American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) for background on child safety in the heat as well as helpful reminders so you can do your best to keep kids safe.
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Important reminders from the NHTSA to keep children safe:
- Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended for any length of time. Rolling windows down or parking in the shade does little to change the interior temperature of the vehicle.
- Make it a habit to check your entire vehicle — especially the back seat — before locking the doors and walking away. Over 50% of pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths are a result of a parent or caregiver forgetting a child in a car.
- Place a personal item like a purse or briefcase in the back seat, as another reminder to look before you lock. Write a note or place a stuffed animal in the passenger's seat to remind you that a child is in the back seat.
Information from the AAP:
- Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths in children under age 15. Heatstroke happens when the body is not able to cool itself quickly enough.
- A child's body heats up 3 to 5 times faster than an adult's does. When left in a hot car, a child's major organs begin to shut down when their temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit (F). A child can die when their temperature reaches 107 degrees F.
- Cars heat up quickly! In just 10 minutes, a car can heat up 20 degrees F. It's also important to know that cracking a window, parking in the shade or using the air conditioner does little to change the inside temperature of the car.