A rude awakening is in store for all those who believed it was safe to leave children and pets in parked cars during mild weather. According to a study, parked cars with rolled up windows can reach dangerously high temperatures if the sun is out, even on cooler days.
In fact, each year children die from heat stroke after being left unattended in motor vehicles. In 2003 alone, the total number of deaths was 42, up from a national average of 29 for the past five years.
Heating it Up
Researchers measured the interior temperature of a parked car on sunny days when temperatures were at highs -- ranging from 72-96 degrees Fahrenheit. The results showed:
The car's interior could heat up as much as 40 degrees within a mere hour, regardless of outdoor temperatures.
A shocking 80 percent of the temperature boost inside the parked car occurred within the first half-hour.
And running the air conditioning before parking the car or leaving a window slightly open didn't help matters either. In fact, researchers found that running the car's air conditioner delayed the temperature spike by only five minutes, and leaving the windows slightly opened did not significantly slow the heating process or decrease the final temperature inside the car after an hour in the sun.
Pediatrics July 2005;116(1):109-112 (Free Full-Text Article)
Forbes July 5, 2005
It would seem a degree in advanced parenting would not be required to understand that leaving your children unattended in a car, no matter what temperature it is outside, is probably not a good idea. Unfortunately, the statistics speak quite loudly and not all parents appreciate this, as 50 children died last year and hundreds, if not thousands, more were exposed to situations that could have resulted in their death.
Since I was a Boy Scout for many years I believe in "Being Prepared." So if you happen to be walking and see a parked car with children inside, here are some warning signs for heat stroke, as that is what most of these kids die from.
Heat Stroke Symptoms That Require Immediate Attention
If the child is experiencing one or more of the above symptoms, you should take them to the hospital immediately for treatment.
In the event of unconsciousness, try to cool down the child's body temperature immediately. Some ways this could be done are by placing the child in a cool shower or wrapping a cool, wet blanket around the child's body.
If the child is still conscious and showing symptoms of heat stroke, the parent should give him or her at least one glass of cold water every 15 minutes until medical services arrive.
A condition that is not as serious as heat stroke, although requires medical attention, is heat exhaustion.
Signs That a Child is Suffering From Heat Exhaustion
Parents should call a doctor if they notice their child is experiencing heat exhaustion and give them a cold glass of water every 15 minutes until they start showing signs of improvement.
How to Prevent Heat-Related Illnesses
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