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[Note: This study has now been published in
Pediatrics. Click
here to download
]
There have been at least thirty deaths of children in hot vehicles in 2011.
In 2010 there were at least 49 deaths of children due
to hyperthermia (heat stroke) from being in hot vehicles. In the
previous year (2009) there were a total of at least 33 such fatalities in the United
States due to hyperthermia after they were left in hot cars, trucks,
vans and SUV's. Since 1998 there have been at least a total of 524 of these needless tragedies. This study shows that these
incidents can occur on days with relatively mild (i.e., ~ 70 degrees F)
temperatures and that vehicles can reach life-threatening temperatures
very rapidly.
STATISTICS
- Total number of
U.S. hyperthermia deaths of children left in cars, 2011: 30
- Total number of
U.S. hyperthermia deaths of children left in cars, 2010:
49
-
Total number of
U.S. hyperthermia deaths of children left in cars, 1998-present:
524
-
Average number of U.S. child
hyperthermia fatalities per year since 1998:
38
-
See Monthly Statistics
ANNUAL DATA AND MAPS
Click maps
for more details
Click maps for more details
Airbags vs. Hyperthermia Deaths
-
In the three-year period of 1990-1992,
before airbags became popular, there were only 11 known deaths of
children from hyperthermia.
-
In the most recent three-year period of 2006-2009, when almost all young
children are now placed in back seats instead of front seats, there have
been at least 108 known fatalities from hyperthermia...a ten-fold increase from
the rate of the early 1990s.
(graphic)
[Important
note: This in no way implies that it is advocated that
children be placed in the front seat or that airbags be disabled.]
LEGAL
- Only 19 states have laws
specifically addressing
leaving a child unattended in a vehicle.
- The remaining
31 states do not have
laws specifically against leaving a child unattended in a vehicle
- Currently only 1 state, Utah, has proposed
legislation that would make it a crime to leave a child unattended in a
vehicle
- Another 14 states have had previously
proposed unattended child laws
- An Associated Press (AP) study "Wide
disparity exists in sentences for leaving kids to die in hot cars"
examined both the frequency of prosecutions and length of sentences in hyperthermia deaths
- Charges were files in 49% of all the deaths. 81% resulted
in convictions.
- In cases with paid caregivers (i.e., childcare workers,
babysitters) 84% were charged and 96% convicted
- Only 7% of the cases involved drugs or alcohol
|
MEDICAL
- Heatstroke occurs
when a person's temperature exceeds 104 degrees F and their
thermoregulatory mechanism is overwhelmed
- Symptoms include : dizziness, disorientation, agitation,
confusion, sluggishness, seizure, hot dry skin that is flushed but not
sweaty, loss of consciousness, rapid heart beat, hallucinations - A core body temperature of 107 degrees F is considered lethal as cells
are damaged and internal organs shut down
- Children's
thermoregulatory systems are not as efficient as an adult's and their
body temperatures warm at a rate 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s.
VEHICLE HEATING
DYNAMICS
The atmosphere and
the windows of a car are relatively “transparent” to the sun’s shortwave radiation
(yellow in figure below) and are warmed little. However this shortwave energy does
heat objects that it strikes. For example, a dark dashboard or seat can
easily reach temperatures in the range of 180 to over 200 degrees F.
These objects (e.g.,
dashboard, steering wheel, childseat) heat the adjacent air by conduction
and convection and also give off longwave radiation (red)
which is very efficient at warming the air trapped inside a vehicle.
VEHICLE HEAT STUDY
- Study of
temperature rise in enclosed cars on 16 dates between May 16 and Aug. 8,
2002.
- Ambient
temperature were between 72 and 96 degrees F.
- Dark Blue mid-side
sedan with medium grey interior
- Also tested with
windows “cracked”
click to enlarge
images
|
All 16 Cases
 |
Average Temperature
Rise
 |
STUDY CONCLUSIONS
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS
- NEVER LEAVE A CHILD
UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE. NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE !
- IF YOU SEE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A HOT
VEHICLE CALL 9-1-1.
- Be sure that all occupants leave the vehicle
when unloading. Don't overlook sleeping babies.
- Always lock your car and
ensure children do not have access to keys or remote entry devices.
IF A CHILD IS MISSING, ALWAYS CHECK THE
POOL FIRST, AND THEN THE CAR, INCLUDING THE TRUNK. Teach your children that
vehicles are never to be used as a play area.
- Keep a stuffed animal in the carseat and when
the child is put in the seat place the animal in the front with the
driver.
- Or place your purse or briefcase in the back
seat as a reminder that you have your child in the car.
- Make "look before you leave" a routine whenever
you get out of the car.
- Have a plan that your childcare provider will
call you if your child does not show up for school.
"Beat the Heat, Check the Backseat"
National Weather Service
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS (click here)
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jan Null, CCM
San Francisco State University
Phone: (408) 379-7500
Email: jnull@sfsu.edu
RESOURCES & LINKS
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