It’s a shame that we have to tell parents and adults that leaving their kids or pets in their used cars during the hot summer heat is lethal, but it seems to happen every time the weather gets hot.
According to trends from previous years, about 40 kids in the nation die because they were left in a hot car while their parent went shopping or did something else for awhile. The extremely unfortunate part about this is that these deaths are completely preventable and unnecessary.
Here’s what happens: An infant’s or young child’s body heats up much faster than an adult’s body because there are still developing. When their body temperature reaches 104 degrees, the body’s system begins to shut down because it is overwhelmed by the heat. At 107 degrees, the child suffers brain damage and cells begin to die. At this temperature, organs begin to shut down and death is only minutes away.
About half of these types of death occur as a result of forgetfulness. A parent or babysitter forgets the child is in the car and they go run their errands. About 20 percent of the deaths are the result of intentionally leaving the child in the car so the parent or babysitter can go do something else. About 30 percent of the cases involve children climbing in an unlocked car and hiding in there.
Just be extra careful and mindful and never leave your children or pets unattended in your used cars. Let’s try to prevent these senseless and tragic deaths.