Fall blesses us with cooler temperatures. But Nevada parents and caregivers need to remember that cars can still become fatally hot if a child is left inside, even in autumn.
“Hot cars can still kill children and infants,” warns Michelle Parker, Safe Kids coordinator at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital in California.
Safety advocates worry that the COVID-19 pandemic could make hot car deaths more pronounced due to the stress that has been placed on families trying to work remotely and care for children who are out of school. An adventurous toddler could slip out of the house, scramble into an unlocked car, and then be unable to get out.
For this reason, experts warn parents and caregivers to keep the car’s passenger area and trunk locked at all times.
Hot Car Death Statistics
Children dying from heatstroke
after being left in a hot car happens all too often. Tragically, these are all preventable deaths. The statistics are concerning:
- The temperature inside a car can reach 110 degrees even when the outside temperature is as low as 57 degrees.
- A car can heat up by 20 degrees within 10 minutes.
- Nearly 75 percent of children who die from heatstroke in a car are forgotten and under 2 years old.
- In 46 percent of hot car death cases, the caregiver intended to drop the child off at daycare or preschool.
- Babies are most at risk, making up 32 percent of heatstroke deaths.
- A baby’s body temperature increases three to five times faster than an adult’s, which makes them particularly vulnerable in a hot car.
Car Heatstroke in the Fall
Cooler weather is no time to relax when trying to keep your child safe in a car, according to the National Safety Council (NSC). Even on mild or cloudy days, temperatures inside cars can reach life-threatening levels.
Leaving windows slightly open doesn’t help. Children should never be left unattended or be able to get inside a vehicle.
Three primary circumstances resulting in the deaths of children in hot cars are:
- A caregiver forgetting a child in a vehicle
- The child gaining access to the car without the caregiver’s knowledge
- Someone knowingly leaving a child in the vehicle
How to Prevent Deaths in Hot Cars
The NSC advises parents and caregivers to stick to a routine and avoid distractions to reduce the risk of forgetting a child in a car. Placing a purse or briefcase in the back seat can force caregivers to take one last look before walking away.
Keep car doors locked so children cannot gain access. Teach them that cars are not play areas. There is no safe amount of time to leave a child in a vehicle, even if you are just running a quick errand.
Remember the acronym “A-C-T” to ensure children are kept safe during the fall months and all year:
- Avoid heatstroke
- Create reminders
- Take Action
- If you see a child unattended in a car, call 911.
Learn More with THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys Today
If your child was left in a hot car, you could have a civil claim for compensation against the responsible party. Contact a Las Vegas wrongful death lawyer at THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys today. Our compassionate legal team can help you understand your legal options in a free, private consultation.
We know that nothing can replace what is lost when a child dies. But when someone else, such as a daycare or business, is responsible for those injuries, they should pay for the tragedy they caused. Let us help you hold the at-fault parties accountable and protect other children like yours.
Call or contact us today for a free case review.
THE702FIRM is a personal injury expert law firm in Las Vegas, Nevada. They represent the victims of personal injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents, slip & fall, and more. If you know someone who suffered a serious accident, contact the 702 lawyers today for a free consultation.
