Child Vehicular Heatstroke Deaths Surge: 39 Kids Died Last Year
In a disturbing trend, the number of children dying from vehicular heatstroke has been rising. Last year, 39 youngsters lost their lives after being left in hot cars, up from 29 in 2020. This alarming issue has gained attention from researchers and safety authorities alike.
A study published in 2021 by Ruth A. Shults, Angie J. Corsi, and James A. Mercy revealed that from 2000 to 2016, the 10 states with the most pediatric vehicular heatstroke cases were Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. The issue is so prevalent that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that dozens of children die annually from this preventable cause.
Heatstroke can occur rapidly, even on cool days, as a child's body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult's in a hot vehicle. Rolling down windows or parking in the shade offers little protection. Tragically, many of these deaths occur because children were forgotten or managed to get into vehicles on their own. Last year, 53% of victims were left in parked cars, while 24% entered the vehicles independently. The majority of victims were 2 years old or younger.
In recent months, at least seven children have died from vehicular heatstroke, including a 7-month-old girl in North Carolina. As temperatures rise and the number of cases increases, it's crucial for parents and caregivers to be extra vigilant. Always check the backseat before leaving the vehicle, and never leave children unattended in a car, even for a short period. The lives of our youngest depend on it.
