Dozens of Young Lives Lost Each Year from Being Left in Hot Cars

It is never a bad idea to have a brief refresher course on how dangerous it is to leave a child in a vehicle, no matter how short the time may be. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 970 children have died from heatstroke, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the body overheats rapidly and is unable to cool itself back down after being trapped or left in hot cars in the past 25 years. Today, there are several technologies (like back seat reminder systems and car seat alerts) that make it even easier to avoid the tragic – and 100% preventable – loss of young lives. Learn more about the vehicle features you should be looking for and the precautions you can take to help keep kids safe.

Why are Children Particularly Vulnerable to Heat Stroke?

At least 12 American children, one who was just two months old, have died from heatstroke after being left in vehicles this year alone. According to the National Safety Council, an average of 37 children under the age of 15 die from heatstroke after being left in vehicles each year. The inside of a vehicle can heat up at an astounding rate: the National Weather Service (NWS) says it only takes a car 25 minutes to reach 100F – and that’s when the outside temperature is only 73F.

Kids are especially ill-protected from overheating since their body temperature rises three to five times as fast as an adult’s. Here are some other key facts to know about children and heatstroke from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA):

• When a child is left in a vehicle, their temperature rises rapidly, turning the situation into a dangerous one very quickly. This is why it is never safe to leave a child in a vehicle for any period, even if it is only for a minute or two
• Heatstroke begins when the body’s temperature reaches 104F; a child can sustain fatal complications when their temperature reaches 107F
• In 2023, 29 children died from heatstroke. In 2018 and 2019, there were a record number of fatalities (53 children died each year), which is the most in 25 years
• 1 in every 4 hot car deaths happen when a child gets trapped in motor vehicles

Children and teens alike are susceptible to heatstroke in temperatures as low as 57F. As temperatures increase from there – as they have been and as they will undoubtedly continue to do so across the country – the hazards associated with being left inside a hot vehicle increase exponentially. It is important to know the warning signs of heatstroke. If you suspect a child (or an individual of any age) is suffering from it, you should seek emergency medical care right away. Without swift medical attention, heatstroke can quickly turn fatal. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reports that some of the most common symptoms of heatstroke in kids and teens are:

• General confusion
• Inability to sweat
• Weakness or dizziness
• Rapid breathing and/or rapid heart rate
• Loss of consciousness or fainting
• Seizure

If you suspect a child (or an individual of any age) is suffering from heatstroke, call 9-1-1 to seek emergency medical attention right away.

Lifesaving Technologies and Other Safety Tips

The NHTSA tells us that everyone can play an integral role in protecting kids from heatstroke – and they’re right. Here are the agency’s lifesaving tips for bystanders, parents, and caregivers:

• Secure your vehicle. Even if you do not have a child of your own, a child in your neighborhood could access your unlocked vehicle. Always lock your car when you are not using it
• Act fast. If you see a child unattended in a car, call 9-1-1 immediately. A child in distress should be promptly removed from the vehicle and cooled rapidly
• It does not matter if you roll down your windows or park in a shady spot – NEVER leave a child in a vehicle for any length of time
• Make a habit of checking your entire vehicle thoroughly, especially the back seat, before you lock the doors and walk away
• Ask your childcare provider to call if your child does not show up for care as expected
• Place a personal item like a laptop, purse, or briefcase in the back seat; you have another reason to check. Write a note or place a stuffed animal in the passenger’s seat to remind you that there is a child in the back seat of the car

Taking these precautions aren’t the only safeguards against leaving children in cars, though they are certainly effective. There are also loads of in and out-of-vehicle devices, apps, and various other technologies on the market that are aimed at preventing leaving kids in cars. Here are some examples of technologies that may be worth looking into:

• Back seat reminder systems. Some products on the market work for multiple children and double as a reminder for pets, too. Some backseat reminder systems offer escalating alert features, providing door detection, chimes, voice alerts, and car horns
• Car seat reminders, which are generally easy to install on your own and inexpensive. These work by installing a pad under the car seat, which detects if there is a baby or child in the vehicle. Devices like these often have alert features like flashing lights and beeping noises
• Baby car mirrors. You strap a small camera to the back seat headrest, pointing at the child. After placing the screen next to the camera, live footage is easy to view when you look in the rearview mirror

Remember – it is never safe to leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Refer to the safety tips above to play your part in protecting children against sustaining heatstroke-related injuries. If you have any questions or concerns, contact a representative of our firm who can help you now.

Philadelphia Personal Injury Lawyers at Galfand Berger, LLP, Representing Injured Victims Since 1947

If you have questions about filing a claim for injuries you sustained, contact the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.