Child unaccompanied in vehicle: Rapidly turns hazardous due to extreme heat
In the sweltering heat of summer, it's essential to be aware of the dangers that hot cars pose to children. Leaving a child alone in a car during warm weather can lead to heatstroke, unconsciousness, and even death within minutes, due to rapid temperature increases inside the vehicle and children's greater vulnerability to heat.
If you find a child left unattended in a hot car, follow these steps to ensure the child's safety:
- Immediately check if the car is locked. If it is, try to find a way to unlock it.
- Call 911 to alert emergency services and follow their directions. They can provide guidance on how to safely remove the child from the car.
- If the child is unconscious or in obvious distress and emergency help is delayed, seek to safely remove the child from the vehicle, even if it requires breaking a window. However, always call emergency services first.
- Provide first aid and keep the child cool until medical help arrives.
It's crucial to document your actions in such a situation. Make a written record of your observations and actions as soon as possible, focusing on objective facts: what you saw, what you did, and any communication you had regarding the child or emergency services. Note times, descriptions of the child’s condition, the car’s condition (locked or unlocked), and how you attempted to access and remove the child.
These steps help ensure the child’s safety, provide proper care, and create a clear record of your responsible actions in a high-stress emergency. The priority is always the immediate health and safety of the child to prevent tragic heatstroke deaths.
It's important to remember that cars can heat up 19°F in 10 minutes, reaching deadly temperatures even on cloudy or mild days. Symptoms of heatstroke include hot, red, dry skin; dizziness; vomiting; weakness; and loss of consciousness. Since 1998, over 1,000 children have died in hot cars, and these deaths are 100% preventable.
Bystanders should also be vigilant during summer months, as leaving a child or pet alone in a car, even for a short moment, is not safe. If a child is conscious, bystanders should try to find the parents or supervising persons as soon as possible.
In an emergency situation, bystanders may need to intervene themselves until the emergency services arrive. However, if the child is unresponsive, it's best to wait for the emergency services. If possible, find shade or ventilate the car before entering.
The GTÜ (German Technical Inspection Association) emphasises that if a child is discovered in a car parked in the sun and deemed dangerous, bystanders are liable to prosecution if they do not provide help. They also explain that the situation with an animal found in a similar condition in the car is comparable to that of a child.
In summary, leaving a child in a hot car is a serious threat to their safety. By following these guidelines and taking swift action, you can help prevent heatstroke deaths and ensure the well-being of children in distress.
