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[Note: This study has now been published in
Pediatrics. Click
here to download
]
Already in 2008 there have been at least thirteen deaths of infants and children after being left inside a hot vehicle.
Last year there were a total of at least thirty-five such fatalities in the United States due
to hyperthermia after they were left in hot cars, trucks, vans and SUV's.
This sadly followed 42 and 30
child deaths in 2006 and 2005 respectively. Since 1998 there have been at least a
total of 364 of these needless tragedies. This study shows that these
incidents can occur on days with relatively mild (i.e., ~ 70 degrees F)
temperatures and vehicles can occur reach life-threatening temperatures
very rapidly.
STATISTICS
- Total number of
U.S. hyperthermia deaths of children left in cars, 2008:
13
- Total number of
U.S. hyperthermia deaths of children left in cars, 2007:
35
-
Total number of
U.S. hyperthermia deaths of children left in cars, 1998-2008:
374
-
Average number of U.S. child
hyperthermia fatalities per year since 1998:
36
-
Airbags vs. Hyperthermia Deaths
In the three-year period of 1990-1992,
before airbags became popular, there were only 11 known deaths of
children from hyperthermia.
-
In the most recent three-year period of 2004-2006, when almost all young
children are now placed in back seats instead of front seats, there have
been at least 110 known fatalities from hyperthermia...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.]
Circumstances
Click images
for more details
click to enlarge images
and for more details
LEGAL
- Only 14 states have laws prohibiting
leaving a child unattended in a vehicle.
- The remaining
36 states do not have
laws specifically against leaving a child unattended in a vehicle
- Currently 9 states have proposed
legislation that would make it a crime to leave a child unattended in a
vehicle
- Another 7 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
|
States with "Unattended
Child" Laws
click to enlarge |
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
bodies warm at a rate 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s.
VEHICLE HEATING
DYNAMICS
The atmosphere and
windows are relatively “transparent” to the sun’s shortwave radiation
(yellow in figure below) and are warmed little. The shortwave energy does
however warm objects that it strikes. A dark dashboard or seat can
easily reach temperatures in excess of 180 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.
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
 |
SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS
- NEVER LEAVE A CHILD
UNATTENDED IN A VEHICLE. NOT EVEN FOR A MINUTE !
- 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,
check the car first, 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.
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"
CONTACT INFORMATION
Jan Null, CCM
Adjunct Professor of Meteorology
San Francisco State University
Phone: (408) 379-7500
Email:
jnull@ggweather.com
RESOURCES & LINKS
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