Summertime is the time to enjoy the beautiful weather with family. Maybe you like to go to the beach or the park to soak up some sun rays. Kids are off from school to enjoy the summer and, many times, parents need to take their children along for the ride to run simple errands. One of the biggest fears parents have during summertime: leaving their child in a hot car.
According to USA Today, on average, 37 children die in hot cars every year, while 29 have died in 2017 alone. Car-related heatstroke affects children easily because their bodies can heat up three to five times faster than a grown adult.
Even a diligent, responsible parent can fall victim to leaving their child in the car. Here are a few tips on how to prevent this from happening in the first place.
Don’t Let the Weather Fool You
It doesn’t need to be a sunny hot day for a child to overheat in a car. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), interior cars temperatures can rise 20 degrees in just 10 minutes. So, even though it’s 65 degrees and cloudy outside, the temperature inside your car can heat up to around 100 degrees in a matter of minutes. Unfortunately, even simple “fixes” like rolling the windows down and parking in the shade won’t keep the temperature inside your car from rising.
Use Unique Reminders
In many cases, it’s good to keep to a routine that helps remind you that your child is in the back seat. Parents can be forgetful due to various reasons—stress, lack of sleep, etc.—so using a reminder may come in handy.
Here are a few tips you can use for reminders that your child is in the car:
- Place a purse or bag next to or near the child’s car seat.
- Write notes such as “check the back seat before leaving” and place on the dashboard.
- While driving, check the rearview mirror and look for something that you relate to your child (i.e. their hair, a favorite toy, the color of the car seat, etc.).
Every parent will have their own unique technique. As long as you find the one that works for you, it’ll become a normal part of your travel routine. This way, you won’t lose track of your child in the car.
Look Out for Other Children
It’s important to educate yourself on signs of heatstroke, and when to seek help. The NHTSA highly recommends that, if you suspect a child is in danger while alone in a car, you seek help.
The most prominent symptom of heatstroke is a body temperature of 104 degrees or higher, but some additional symptoms to look out for are:
- Red, hot and dry skin (no sweat)
- Rapid, strong pulse
- Throbbing headache
- Nausea
- Confusion
- Unconsciousness
You can read about heatstroke and what actions to take at CDC.gov.
Bottom Line
Here at Auto Credit Express, we care about the safety of you and your family. Remember to pay extra attention during the hottest times of the year, and watch your children for signs of heatstroke.
Some cars may no longer be equipped to handle the intense heat of summertime. If you’re ready for a new car, but struggle with bad credit, Auto Credit Express can help. Simply fill out our online auto loan request form to get started.
