In 2012, with many parts of the U.S. experiencing record-breaking heat, the number of children dying from being left inside hot cars increased. Law enforcement agencies across the country are working hard to raise awareness about the dangers of leaving kids or pets in parked cars. They aim to educate the public about these risks and the tragic outcomes that can happen if children are exposed to extreme temperatures in confined spaces.
According to police reports and testimonies from parents, many people aren’t aware of how quickly a car can heat up and become deadly for infants and toddlers. Statistics show that nearly 90% of heat-related deaths in vehicles involve children under the age of four. On average, a child dies from overheating in a car about once every eight days in the U.S.
### Children and Heat Exhaustion
Many parents mistakenly believe that it’s safe to leave a child in a car for a brief period. However, cars can become extremely hot very quickly. This is because cars are designed with lots of glass, allowing sunlight to penetrate and heat the interior surfaces rapidly. Even on cooler days, temperatures inside a car can reach dangerous levels, often exceeding 140 degrees Fahrenheit. Simply cracking a window does little to prevent this.
To understand this better, think about baking a cake in a glass dish versus a metal pan. A cake in a glass dish cooks faster because the glass allows radiation to pass through and heat the batter directly. Similarly, the glass in a car allows sunlight to pour in and trap heat, rapidly warming the interior.
### Children Are at Greater Risk in the Heat
Young children are particularly vulnerable to heat exhaustion because their bodies don’t regulate temperature as efficiently as older kids and adults. Research from the American Medical Association and other experts indicates that a child’s body temperature can rise up to four times faster than that of a teenager. This makes them more likely to suffer from severe heat-related illnesses, especially in a stationary car.
In extreme heat, a child’s body can’t cool down effectively. The heat absorbed by the child’s body can cause their system to start shutting down, similar to what happens in extreme cold.
### Advice for Parents
The most crucial piece of advice for parents is to never leave a child or pet alone in a parked car. Develop a habit of checking the back seat every time you park. Kids may not always be able to open the doors due to child-proof locks.
Sometimes, children may enter an unattended car on their own, which is why it’s important to always lock your vehicle and keep the keys away from children.
Pets are also at high risk in hot cars. Unlike humans, dogs and cats have different cooling mechanisms. Dogs, for instance, can struggle significantly with sudden temperature spikes and may not be able to call for help effectively. Both dogs and cats have a harder time recovering from heat exhaustion than humans.
If you ever see a child or pet trapped in a hot car, call 911 immediately.