Check the backseat twice and other tips to avoid leaving children in a hot car accidentally

Every year, summer temperatures bring the deadly side effect of heatstroke. Heatstroke in children —particularly those left in vehicles — is very serious.

As an adult, I know to keep myself hydrated and to get to a cooler place if I do not feel my best. Children, however, do not have the capability to protect themselves. Unfortunately, fatalities from heatstroke are too common.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, “heatstroke in vehicles is the leading cause of all non-crash-related fatalities involving children 14 and younger, translating to 61 percent of total non-crash fatalities in this age group.”

It is important that we understand the anatomy of children, and what occurs during heatstroke. Small children and infants are very sensitive to extreme heat. A child’s body absorbs heat more rapidly than an adult’s body, making their core body temperature rise three to five times faster as well.

Let’s look at a regular 90-degree day in Georgia as an example. If it’s 90 degrees outside, the temperature inside a vehicle can be over 125 degrees in just 20 minutes. The temperature continues to increase as time passes.

When heatstroke occurs, a child sweats and overheats, just like an adult. Their body temperature continues to rise and their systems cannot regulate their temperatures. At this point, the child may display symptoms such as no sweating, dizziness, lethargy and disorientation. If they remain in extreme heat, they will lose consciousness. Once their internal body temperature reaches 107 degrees, their organs begin to fail and permanent damage or death quickly follows.

The situation I just described is grotesque — and preventable.

We must remember, it could happen to anyone. We have all seen news stories of children dying after being left unattended in vehicles. We think, how could parents just leave a child in the car, or how could they forget? It is not difficult. We like to think it could not happen to us, but I am here to tell you that once a child falls asleep in the back of the car, or you are out of your daily routine, it could happen.

When my children were younger, I have taken them half way to work only to realize I was supposed to drop them off at the childcare center. Infants in rear-facing car seats are more at-risk and can easily be forgotten because you don’t see them as you exit the vehicle.

The Macon-Bibb Cooperative Extension office would like to recommend the following tips to avoid heatstroke.

▪ Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even if it is “just for a minute.” Don’t do it!

▪ Look twice. It takes very little time to take a quick cursory glance in the backseat.

▪ Put something you will definitely miss in the backseat with the child. Placing your purse, cell phone or, if you are like me, the rest of your outfit (shoes) in the backseat.

▪ Install a mirror that allows you to see a child in a rear-facing car seat.

▪ Avoid distractions while driving. Cell phones are notorious for taking our attention.

▪ Finally, if you see a child left unattended in a vehicle, call 911. You may feel that it is not your concern, however, precious children are a concern to us all.

Have a safe and wonderful summer!

This story was originally published June 25, 2017 at 10:12 AM with the headline "Check the backseat twice and other tips to avoid leaving children in a hot car accidentally."