As temperatures spike on the cusp of a “super El Niño” at the same time that children are heading back to school, county health officials are reminding parents to check the back seats of their cars.
According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, more than half of pediatric heatstroke deaths happen when a parent or caregiver forgets a child in a vehicle — and it’s more likely when daily routines change, such as when school begins again.
Nearly 40 children die each year in the United States after being left alone in hot cars. This year, there have already been 18 deaths nationally.
“There is no safe amount of time to leave a child alone in a vehicle — not even for a quick errand,” said county public health officer Dr. Sayone Thihalolipavan in a statement.
“Not with a window down. Not in the shade. Not ever. Even on a mild day, your car can heat up like an oven.”
Even with windows cracked, the interior temperature of a parked car can reach 125 degrees within minutes.
“Children do not cool themselves as efficiently as adults, and their body temperature rises three to five times faster,” said the county.
If you see a child left alone in a hot car, you can prevent a medical emergency or even death by taking immediate action.
Call 911, ask people nearby for help finding the driver and/or remove a child from the car by smashing the furthest window away from the child if necessary. Immediately move the child to a cool place and begin cooling them with water or fanning.
“Routine changes, lack of sleep, stress, fatigue and distractions affect every parent and are the leading factors behind children being unintentionally left in vehicles,” the county statement reads. “Rear-facing car seats look the same to drivers whether a baby is in them or not, and sleeping babies are often silent passengers.”
For parents, the county asks them to practice safe habits such as:
- Placing your child’s diaper bag in the front seat as a visual reminder;
- Putting something you need for the day in the back seat with your child like a purse, phone, briefcase, work badge or even your left shoe;
- Check the child’s car seat every time you exit the vehicle, even if your child is not with you;
- When you park your car, make it a habit to stop, look and lock;
- Ask your childcare provider to call you right away if your child hasn’t arrived as scheduled; and
- Keep your car locked at home so children do not climb inside.
Pets can also suffer medical emergencies or death from being left in hot cars.
