Preventing Hot Car Deaths: Essential Tips and Must-Have Products

Summer is here, and so is the heat. In Toledo, Ohio, temperatures can skyrocket inside a parked car, creating deadly conditions for children left unattended. Emergency responders are emphasizing that these tragic incidents, often referred to as 'hot car deaths,' are entirely preventable.

Kids left in hot cars can suffer from heat stroke rapidly. Even kids up to the age of 15 have succumbed to high vehicle temperatures. ProMedica's Injury Prevention Specialist, Hannah Eberlein, highlights that, on average, 37 children die annually from being left in cars. That's nearly three children every month – and each death is avoidable.

First responders from Sylvania to Oregon Fire Departments shed more light on this pressing issue. The interiors of cars can heat up to 120 degrees within minutes and reach a scorching 150 degrees within an hour. Capt. Michael Behan of Sylvania Township Fire warns that these temperatures can cause hyperthermia, leading to severe injury or death if a child is left inside.

To illustrate the danger, Oregon Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Joe Purtee conducted an experiment using two trucks, one parked in the sun and the other in the shade. The truck under the sun quickly reached 127 degrees inside, while the one in the shade, despite being better off, still climbed to a dangerous 88 degrees. The lesson is clear: never underestimate the power of the sun, even if the car is in a shaded area.

Parents and caregivers are encouraged to adopt a 'look before you lock' mentality. Placing a personal item, like a purse or wallet, in the back seat with your child can serve as a helpful reminder to check the back seat before leaving the car. Additionally, first responders urge anyone who encounters a child or animal locked in a hot car to stay there and call 9-1-1 immediately.

Modern vehicles often come equipped with reminder technologies to help prevent these tragedies. If your car lacks this feature, numerous products and tips can help you safeguard against hot car deaths.

Creating a habit of always checking the back seat can significantly reduce the risk. Place a diaper bag or child’s toy in the front passenger seat as a visual reminder. Collaborate with your childcare providers to call you if your child does not arrive on time. Never assume that someone else has removed your child from the car; always double-check.

Additionally, make sure your vehicle is always locked and keys are stored out of children's reach. Teach your toddlers and older kids how to exit the car and to honk the horn or turn on hazard lights if they ever get trapped inside.

Tech solutions can also prove invaluable. Doona Sensalert, Sensorsafe by Evenflo and Cybex, and Babyark Forgotten Child Alerts are among the many systems designed to alert you if your child is left in the car. Clever Elly reminds you to check the back seat whenever you turn off your car. Even apps like Waze offer child reminders – simply navigate to settings and turn on the child reminder notification.

Children are particularly vulnerable to heat illness because their bodies heat up three to five times faster than adults. Understanding the risks and enabling precautionary measures are crucial steps in protecting our kids. The simple act of checking the back seat every time you exit your car could prevent an irreversible tragedy.

Hot car deaths don't have to be a reality for any family. By staying alert, incorporating quick checks into your routine, and using available technology, you can ensure that no child is left behind. Stay safe and vigilant, Toledo, and together we can prevent these heartbreaking incidents.