A record wave of heat on the east coast of the United States has highlighted the risks to children and pets that parents leave in the vehicle. This year, nine children have already died in the US, five of them in June. This was stated by the American NGO Kids and Car Safety (KCS), which collects data on deaths in hot cars. TASR writes according to AP report.
Last year, 39 children died in the United States, leaving parents and guardians in hot cars. In order to hurt the child in the vehicle, the outdoor temperature may not be very high, said the director of Safe Kids in Palm Beach district, Florida Kathy Wall.
The interior heats up quickly
“The interior of the vehicle can only be heated to 20 degrees in only 20 minutes,” Wall said. “So if there are 27 degrees Celsius outside, which is a cold day in South Florida, it may be more than 38 degrees Celsius in the car within 10 minutes,” she explained.
About 80 percent of the car temperature will rise during the first half an hour after leaving the child inside. The maximum temperatures may then exceed 65 degrees Celsius. This stems from data gathered by meteorologist Jan Null at the State University of San Jose.
Children should not stay in the car
“Children sweat much less than adults and their internal temperature can increase three to five times faster than in adults. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your child does not stay in the vehicle, especially during these rising temperatures,” said Karen Derogatis from the Palm Beach Fire Brigade.
Deaths caused by overheated cars can happen at any time of the year. Since 1998, this has happened in the United States in every state except Alaska, the National Security Council said. In 2018 and 2019, a record 53 children died in cars.
According to Waall, a reminder from the English abbreviation ACT (act) can serve that the child is in the back seat. And (Avoid) – Avoid keeping your child unattended in the vehicle. C (Create) – Create a reminder, for example, keep the personal thing you need in the back seat to open the rear door before locking the vehicle. T (Take Action) – Immediately act.
