Avoiding Heatstroke

Following up on our previous post about the dangers of heatstroke, remember that even in 10 minutes, a car’s temperature can rise by 20 degrees. It is never okay to leave your child alone in a car.

According to HealthyChildren.org, “Heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths in children under 15.” However, these deaths are absolutely avoidable.

How to Prevent Heatstroke in a Car

Here are some reminders to help prevent heatstroke in a vehicle:

• Before getting out of the car, always check the back seat.
• Put your cellphone, bag, or purse in the back seat as a reminder to check before leaving the vehicle.
• Ensure children do not have easy access to car keys. Store them out of a child’s reach.
• Keep your car locked while parked so a child cannot enter the vehicle unsupervised.
• Teach children that cars are not safe places to play.

Tip: If a child is missing, check the pool first, then the car.

Another helpful tip from the NHTSA for preventing heatstroke is to keep a stuffed animal or another memento in your child’s car seat when it is empty, then move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat.

What to Do If You See a Child Alone in a Car

If you see a child alone in a car and they appear to be okay, attempt to locate the parents. If you are at a public place, ask staff to page the vehicle’s owner over the intercom. Stay with the child until help arrives.

According to HealthyChildren.org, if a child is unresponsive or in distress, immediately:

• Call 911.
• Get the child out of the car.
• Cool the child with water. Do not use an ice bath.

Learn more about the dangers of heatstroke and how to protect children from heat-related risks in our previous blog post.