Each spring and summer you read the articles in the newspaper or hear it on the evening news: a child has died after being left alone in a vehicle due to hyperthermia (elevated body temperature).<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Some of the children are left in the vehicle intentionally so an adult can run a \u201cquick\u201d errand and some are left accidentally after the driver exits the vehicle, forgetting to remove the child.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Nationally in 2010, according to San Francisco State University, 49 children died of hyperthermia after being left in a vehicle, according to a Kent Fire Department media release. In the last 10 years, more than half of those children that died were under 2 years old and almost 95 percent were under 5 years old.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
People shake their heads and cannot understand how a person can leave a child in a car on a hot day. It is easier than you think and with warmer weather coming into the Puget Sound area it is a subject that anyone with a child in their care should be aware of, said Kyle Ohashi, Kent Fire Department spokesman.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Myth: There only is a danger to kids on very hot days.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Truth: On a 72-degree day (common in this area) the internal temperature in a vehicle can rise 35-40 degrees in approximately one hour when the windows are rolled up due to solar radiation.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Myth: \u201cCracking\u201d the window slightly will keep children cool.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Truth: Studies have shown that leaving windows slightly open has little effect on the temperature inside a vehicle since solar radiation is primarily heating the objects in the vehicle, not the air.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Myth: Children can handle extremes in temperature.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Truth: Young children do not have the internal temperature regulating mechanism that adults have. Also, children dehydrate more quickly than adults.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Myth: It is legal to leave a child unattended in a parked vehicle for a short period of time in Washington State.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Truth: RCW 46.61.685 and RCW 9.91.060 strictly prohibit leaving children unattended in stopped vehicles with or without the engine running.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
What can people do to help avoid this tragedy? Here are some tips:<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
1. Any time you leave your vehicle, take all children with you. It will slow you down, it will create more work, it may save a child\u2019s life and it is the law.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
2. If you need a reminder about children in the back seat, place your briefcase or purse next to the child. Another \u201ctrick\u201d is to leave the diaper bag on the front seat as a reminder. These types of reminders are especially important if you do not regularly carry children in your vehicle.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
3. Get into the habit of \u201clook before you leave\u201d. As you exit your vehicle scan the interior to look for children or other things that need your attention.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
4. Place electronic \u201creminders\u201d to yourself on your PDA, smart phone, or email calendar to check on your child.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
5. If your spouse or other adult is carrying a child and does not normally do so, call them to ensure that the child has been removed from the vehicle.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
6. Ensure that daycares and schools notify you promptly if your child does not show up as scheduled.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
7. If you are concerned about a child you see alone in a vehicle, call 911.<\/p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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