Hot Car Deaths

"On average, 37 children die from heat-related deaths after being trapped inside vehicles. Even the best of parents or caregivers can unknowingly leave a sleeping baby in a car; and the end result can be injury or even death."

"Heatstroke is clinically defined as when a person's temperature exceeds 104 degrees F and their thermoregulatory mechanism is overwhelmed
- Symptoms include : dizziness, disorientation, agitation, confusion, sluggishness, seizure, hot dry skin that is flushed but not sweaty, loss of consciousness, rapid heart beat, hallucinations

When a core body temperature of 107 degrees F or greater is reached then cells are damaged and internal organs begin to shut down. This cascade of events can rapidly lead to death.

Children's thermoregulatory systems are not as efficient as an adult's and their body temperatures warm at a rate 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s."

Cracking windows does very little to dissipate the heat. The largest jump in temperature occurs within the first 10 minutes. Your car essentially becomes an oven, slowly cooking anyone left inside.


HEATING STUDY SUMMARY

Average elapsed time and temperature rise
10 minutes ~ 19 deg F
20 minutes ~ 29 deg F
30 minutes ~ 34 deg F
60 minutes ~ 43 deg F
1 to 2 hours ~ 45-50 deg F
2 to 4 hours ~ 50-55 deg F

Find out more at kidsandcars.org and noheatstroke.org


Life Saving Devices🔆🚼

There are several devices on the market to help prevent a fastened child from being left inside of a hot car. However, some have proven to be ineffective during testing within realistic scenarios (ie. juice spills, different positionings, child sleeping over the sensor in a slumped position etc.).

Some promising inventions include:

SENSE-A-LIFE
A wireless and bluetooth-powered system that involves sensors, pressure meters, car speakers and a cell phone app. It comes with a small sensored seat pad that activates the system when it detects a child in the car seat; requiring only two pounds of pressure to activate. Another sensor device goes under the driver’s seat and detects when the driver exits the vehicle, sending an audible message and phone app alert to the driver stating, “Please remove the child from the seat.” If the driver doesn’t respond to the app or remove the child within a few minutes, Sense-A-life can send an alert to a second parent or caregiver. It only take 30 seconds to install and can be purchased on line for only $100 at sensealife.com.

OASIS
An invention, still in the design stage, concieved by 10 year old Bishop Curry V that would attach to a child's car seat and alert emergency personel and caregivers to a child left inside a hot vehicle. While the necessary indviduals are alerted, the device would also blow cool air on the child to prevent overheating. A protype has been built with a provisional patent and Toyota, where the father is employed, has also been shown the design. A GoFundMe page is also set up to raise awareness of the device. (www.gofundme.com/endhotcardeaths)