MEMPHIS, Tenn. – As summer temperatures continue to climb across the country, it is important to remember that hot summer days can lead to loss of life in a vehicle, which can reach deadly temperatures in a matter of minutes.
According to 2024 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 39 children died of heatstroke in vehicles last year — up 35% from 2023.
The United States saw a temporary decrease in pediatric vehicular heat strokes from hot cars during the pandemic, due to an increase in remote work and education. However, these cases are back on the rise. As caregivers shuttle kids between activities and vacation destinations this summer, the odds of heatstroke claiming the life of a Mid-South child could climb. Experts are urging parents to always make hot car safety a priority.
“Families get into a routine during the school year and summer activities can really shake things up for most of us,” says Jennifer Taylor, manager of Injury Prevention at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital and Safe Kids Mid-South. “When we experience a shift in daily responsibilities or schedules, grabbing a sleeping child from the backseat or making a plan for children during an errand run can unfortunately fall from the mental checklist.”
Facing the Facts
What many people are shocked to learn is how hot the inside of a car can actually get. The temperature inside a car climbs dramatically, as much as 19 degrees in 10 minutes, and can reach temperatures up to 50 degrees higher than outside. This means that it does not have to be a hot day and opening the window doesn’t help. Because heatstroke can happen anywhere, to anyone, experts urge caregivers to help protect our most vulnerable populations from this very preventable tragedy.
Remember to ACT
Le Bonheur Children’s and Safe Kids Mid-South are asking everyone to remember to ACT:
A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute with the windows rolled down. Lock your doors and keep your keys and key fobs out of the reach of kids. And ask your neighbors to do the same.
C: Create reminders by putting something in the back of your car next to your child such as a briefcase, a purse or a cell phone that is needed at your final destination. This is especially
important if you are not following your normal routine.
T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, call 911. Emergency personnel want you to call. They are trained to respond to these situations. One call could save a life.
Other Heat-Related Risks
Children and teens are also at risk of developing exercise-related heat illness (ERHI), especially during summer conditioning for sports teams. In fact, children may be at greater risk than adults for developing heat illness.
Signs of Exercise-Related Heat Illness (ERHI)
Exercise-related heat illness, sometimes referred to as “heat injury”, can occur when exercise is done in a high temperature and high humidity environment. Because exercise can cause muscles to create 10 to 20 times more heat than resting muscles, it is important for adults to monitor children’s activity and look for signs of heat illness.
1. Heat fatigue – painful muscle contractions (most often in leg muscles, normal temperature
2. Heat exhaustion – body temperature up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit; fatigue; nausea; vomiting; dizziness; flushed, moist skin
3. Heat stroke – life-threatening; body temperature more than 104 degrees Fahrenheit, confusion, combativeness, seizures and/or stroke, shock, coma (unresponsive) and/or heart failure/cardiac arrest
Tips for Preventing Heat Illness
• Schedule activities during the coolest parts of the day, which are typically early morning or late afternoon/evening.
• Both temperature and humidity (known collectively as the “heat index”) should be considered to accurately assess risks. Consider cancelling or delaying an activity under extreme conditions.
• Make sure plenty of cold water and sports drinks are available before, during and after each activity.
• Schedule breaks every 10 to 15 minutes during any activity lasting more than 1 hour.
• Identify athletes at high risk, such as those who are obese, poorly conditioned, not acclimated to the weather, have an existing illness, taking certain medications or have a history of heat-related issues.
• Know the signs and symptoms of ERHI.
• Plan for emergencies: measure body temperature, call 9-1-1 and cool immediately.
For more tips and resources to keep kids safe from injuries, please visit www.lebonheur.org/safekids.
