MADERA, Calif. – Valley Children’s Hospital is urging parents and caregivers to stay alert as deaths of children in hot cars have risen across the United States in recent weeks.
As of July 10, the total number of hot car deaths involving children has risen to 15, according to the National Safety Council. That includes one child in Bakersfield and another in Paso Robles.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths in children under 15. Nearly 90% of victims are three years old or younger, and in more than half of the cases, the child was accidentally left behind by a parent or caregiver.
“These tragedies can happen to anyone but are preventable by remembering to A.C.T.,” said Kristina Pasma, injury prevention coordinator at Valley Children’s.
A.C.T.
- Avoid leaving children in vehicles, even for a moment. Rolling down the windows or parking in the shade does not reduce the risk of overheating.
- Create reminders by placing something your child needs, such as a toy or diaper bag, in the front seat, and a personal item in the back, like a cellphone or purse, in the backseat.
- Take action. If you see a child alone in a hot car, call 911 immediately.
Car interiors can heat up by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes, regardless of whether windows are open or closed, according to the AAP. The risk is especially high in California’s Central Valley, where summer temperatures can routinely soar into the triple digits.
“Valley Children’s urges all families to take these warnings seriously – not just during heat waves or holiday weekends, but every day,” said Pasma. “A simple habit, a quick double check, or a call to 911 can make all the difference in a life-changing way.”
For safety tips and resources from Valley Children’s, click here.
