The inside of a vehicle can rise 19 degrees above the outside temperature in just 10 minutes. After an hour, the temperature inside and outside temperature can differ by 45 degrees or more - even if the window is left open a crack. Children are more susceptible to heat stroke than adults because their bodies warm at a rate three to five times faster than adult bodies do. Heat stroke occurs when the core body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit. A core body temperature of 107 degrees Fahrenheit is considered lethal.
Tips for parents and caregivers:
- Teach children not to play in, on or around vehicles.
- Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even with the window slightly open.
- Always lock a vehicle's doors and trunk - especially at home. Keep keys and remote entry devices out of children's reach.
- Place something that you'll need at your next stop - such as a purse, lunch, gym bag or briefcase - on the floor of the backseat where the child is sitting. This simple act could help prevent you from accidentally forgetting a child.
