June 28, 2018 - As the heat index rises, many of us feel like we are walking into a sauna as we step out our doors. June has seen highs into the 90s, with the humidity easily making it feel well over 100 degrees. Despite the heat, many of us look forward to the summer months. With the heat comes good summer watermelon, days at the lake, and summer vacation. However, this increased heat brings danger as well.
Since 1998, 705 children in the United States have died by heatstroke, as the result of being left in a vehicle. The majority of these deaths occurred in the months May, June, July, and August. 107 of these deaths have occurred in the state of Texas. Upon further investigation into these deaths, 54% of children were forgotten in the car by their caregiver, 28% of children were playing in an unattended vehicle, and 17% were left intentionally in the vehicle by the adult. More than half of these children were under the age of two.
Though we are quick to claim that this would never happen to us, child vehicular heatstroke deaths do occur. The statistics also reported that only 7% of cases involved drugs or alcohol. This leads me to believe that the majority of cases, involved normal, loving caregivers, who simply forgot their children in the car. So as parents, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, what can we do to help this from happening to us?
Some suggestions:
- Never leave your child unattended, even for a minute. In only 10 minutes, the temperature of a car can increase by 19 degrees F.
- Create a habit of checking the vehicle, all rows, when unloading.
- Speak to your school/daycare, ask that your childcare provider contacts you if the child does not show up for school/daycare.
- Keep a stuffed animal, or bag, in the car seat. When placing the child in the car seat, place the animal or bag into the front passenger seat as a reminder.
- If a child is missing, check the vehicles and pools first. Be sure to look into the trunk.
- Always lock your car, ensure your child does not have access to the keys. Let them know that your vehicle is not somewhere to play.
Many of us may feel uncomfortable and unsure when seeing a child left alone in a hot car. However, I think it is important to point out that Texas does have unattended children laws, as well as Good Samaritan laws, that protect a person who takes action to assist a child left in a vehicle. So please, if you ever happen upon a child in a hot car, call 911. A child's body temperature can rise up to 3 to 5 times faster than adults, so acting quickly is imperative.
Although its still too many, in 2017, there were only 5 reported child vehicular heatstroke deaths in the United States, with only one occurring in Texas. 2017 was the first year to report single digit child vehicular heatstroke deaths in the United States in the last 20 years. I pray that this year, the reported number will be even lower. Stay cool, East Texas, and watch out for one another in this heat.
