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 Heatstroke Deaths of
Children in Vehicles
 by Jan Null, CCM
Department of Geosciences, SFSU
 Updated May 17, 2013

Beat the Heat,
Check the Backseat

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FACT SHEETS:  English, Español
[Note: This study has now been published in Pediatrics. Click here to download ]
So far in 2013 there havs been one death of a child due to heatstroke unattended in a vehcile (List).  Last year there were at least thirty-two deaths of children (see 2012 list) due to hyperthermia (heatstroke) after being left in or having gained access to hot cars, trucks, vans and SUV's.  Since 1998 there have been at least 560 documented cases of heatstroke deaths of children in vehicles.  This study shows that these incidents can occur on days with relatively mild (i.e., ~ 70 degrees F) temperatures and that vehicles can reach life-threatening temperatures very rapidly.

STATISTICS

  • Total number of U.S. heatstroke deaths of children left in cars, 2013: 1
  • Total number of U.S. heatstroke deaths of children left in cars, 2012:  32
  • Total number of U.S. heatstroke  deaths of children left in cars, 1998-present:  560
  • Average number of U.S. child heatstroke fatalities per year since 1998: 38
  • See Monthly Statistics
  • See Per Capita Deaths by State
 

 

  • Circumstances

    • An examination of media reports about the 559 child vehicular heatstroke deaths for an thirteen year period (1998 through 2012) shows the following circumstances:

      • 52% - child "forgotten" by caregiver (288 Children)

      • 29% - child playing in unattended vehicle (163)

      • 18% - child intentionally left in vehicle by adult  (100)

      • 1% - circumstances unknown (8)

 

  • Ages

    Children that have died from vehicular heatstroke in the United States (1998-2012) have ranged in age from 5 days to 14 years.  More than half of the deaths are children under 2 years of age.  Below are the percentage of total deaths (and the number of deaths) sorted by age.

    • Less than 1 year old = 31% (171)

    • 1-year old = 22% (122)

    • 2-years old = 20% (109)

    • 3-years old = 14% (78)

    • 4-years old = 6% (33)

    • 5-years old = 3% (16)

    • 6-years old = 2% (9)

    • 7-years old = < 1% (2)

    • 8-years old = 1% (3)

    • 9-years old = < 1% (2)

    • 10-years old = 1% (3)

    • 11-years old = < 1% (2)

    • 12-years old = < 1% (1)

    • 13-years old = < 1% (1)

    •  14-years old = < 1% (2) 

    • Unknown = < 1% (2)

ANNUAL DATA AND MAPS
Click links and maps below for expanded details 
2013 Fatalities 2012 Fatalities 2011 Fatalities
2010 Fatalities 2009 Fatalities 2008 Fatalities
2007 Fatalities 2006 Fatalities 2005 Fatalities
2004 Fatalities 1998-2012 Heatstroke Deaths 1998-2012 Fatalities by State

Click links and maps above for expanded details 

Airbags vs. Heatstroke Deaths

  • In the three-year period of 1990-1992, before airbags became popular, there were only 11 known deaths of children from heatstroke .

  • In the most recent three-year period of 2009-2011, when almost all young children are now placed in back seats instead of front seats, there have been at least 118 known fatalities from heatstroke...a ten-fold increase from the rate of the early 1990s. (graphic) [Important note: This in no way implies that it is advocated that children be placed in the front seat or that airbags be disabled.]

LEGAL

  • Only 20 states have laws specifically addressing leaving a child unattended in a vehicle.

 		 The remaining 30 states do not have laws specifically against leaving a child unattended in a vehicle
  • Another 14 states have had previously proposed unattended child laws
  • An Associated Press (AP) study "Wide disparity exists in sentences for leaving kids to die in hot cars" examined both the frequency of prosecutions and length of sentences in hyperthermia deaths
    -  Charges were files in 49% of all the deaths.  81% resulted in convictions.
    -  In cases with paid caregivers (i.e., childcare workers, babysitters) 84% were charged and 96% convicted
    -  Only 7% of the cases involved drugs or alcohol

MEDICAL

  • Heatstroke occurs 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
  • A core body temperature of 107 degrees F is considered lethal as cells are damaged and internal organs shut down 
  • 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.

VEHICLE HEATING DYNAMICS

The atmosphere and the windows of a car are relatively “transparent” to the sun’s shortwave radiation (yellow in figure below) and are warmed little.  However this shortwave energy does heat objects that it strikes.  For example, a dark dashboard or seat can easily reach temperatures in the range of 180 to over 200 degrees F.

These objects (e.g., dashboard, steering wheel, childseat) heat the adjacent air by conduction and convection and also give off longwave radiation (red) which is very efficient at warming the air trapped inside a vehicle.

 

Objects Heated by the Sun Warm Vehicle's Air


CLICK HERE FOR ANIMATION (~700K)
( Hi-Res ~ 2.5 mb.WMV file)
Individual Frames:
0 min, 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, 40 min, 50 min, 60 min
(Animation Courtesy of General Motors)

VEHICLE HEAT STUDY

  • Study of temperature rise in enclosed cars on 16 dates between May 16 and Aug. 8, 2002.
  • Ambient temperature were between 72 and 96 degrees F.
  • Dark Blue mid-side sedan with medium grey interior
  • Also tested with windows “cracked”

click to enlarge images

All 16 Cases

Average Temperature Rise

STUDY CONCLUSIONS

  • 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
  • “Cracking” the windows had little effect
  • Vehicle interior color probably biggest factor
  • "Parents and other caregivers need to be educated that a vehicle is not a babysitter or play area ... but it can easily become tragedy"


SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

  • NEVER LEAVE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE.  NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE !
  • IF YOU SEE A CHILD UNATTENDED IN A HOT VEHICLE CALL 9-1-1.
  • Be sure that all occupants leave the vehicle when unloading. Don't overlook sleeping babies.
  • Always lock your car and ensure children do not have access to keys or remote entry devices.  IF A CHILD IS MISSING, ALWAYS CHECK THE POOL FIRST, AND THEN THE CAR, INCLUDING THE TRUNK. Teach your children that vehicles are never to be used as a play area. 
  • Keep a stuffed animal in the carseat and when the child is put in the seat place the animal in the front with the driver.
  • Or place your purse or briefcase in the back seat as a reminder that you have your child in the car.
  • Make "look before you leave" a routine whenever you get out of the car.
  • Have a plan that your childcare provider will call you if your child does not show up for school.

"Beat the Heat, Check the Backseat"

National Weather Service

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (click here)

CONTACT INFORMATION

Jan Null, CCM
San Francisco State University
Phone: (408) 379-7500
Email: jnull@sfsu.edu

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