As the school year comes to an end and many families begin to enjoy summer vacation, REMSA, has provided some tips to ensure children stay safe as temperatures rise. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 40 children a year die from heatstroke, either because they were left or became trapped in a car.

The majority of hot car deaths 53% happen because someone forgets a child in a car.

Additionally, a child’s body temperature rises three to five times faster than an adult’s, making them more at risk for heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke.

REMSA Health has provided some tips to raise awareness on the dangers of children being in hot cars and heat-related illnesses in children, as listed below:

  • Use the “look before you lock” rule to establish safe habits while driving with children.
  • As you’re getting out of your car, train yourself to look in your back seat every time you leave your car to ensure children aren’t there.
  • It’s important to remind children that cars are not play areas. Keep your car locked and keep your car keys out of reach at all times.
  • If the child shows signs of heat illness, cool them down until help arrives including moving them to a cool location, providing them water or an electrolyte beverage to drink, or applying ice packs on the head, neck, armpits and groin.
  • Fatalities can also happen when children get trapped in a car without their parent’s or caregiver’s knowledge. 
  • If you ever see a child alone in a car, call 9-1-1 immediately and work quickly to get them out. 

Summer temperatures often increase the risk for heat-related illnesses, making it especially important for parents and caregivers to be aware of the signs of heat-related illnesses in children who are more susceptible, and what to do if a child or someone is experiencing symptoms: 

  •  Heat cramp symptoms include muscle cramping that is more intense and prolonged than regular cramps and usually occurs in calves, arms and in the abdominal wall and back.
    • Treatment includes resting, cooling off and drinking an electrolyte-containing sports drink.
  • Heat exhaustion signs include more significant cramping, fatigue, headache, nausea or vomiting and dizziness or fainting. Other symptoms may include rapid and shallow breathing.
    • Typically, you can treat heat exhaustion by having the person rest in a cool place and lie on their back with legs elevated higher than the heart. They should drink cool water and sports drinks. Loosen restrictive clothing and encourage them to take a cool shower. If symptoms don’t subside within one hour, they should seek prompt medical care.
  • Heatstroke is the most serious heat illness and can be fatal. Heatstroke symptoms in children include fussiness, vomiting, and skin that is hot, red and flushed, but not sweaty.
    • If any of these signs or symptoms are present, call 9-1-1 immediately and begin to cool the person down by spraying them with a hose, submerging them in a tub of cool water, fanning and misting or applying ice packs on the head, neck, armpits and groin. 

For more summer safety tips and information click here.