Prevent Child Heatstroke: Always Check the Backseat

Aug 28, 2013

Quick Answer

Leaving children unattended in vehicles creates a significant risk of heatstroke, with at least twenty child deaths reported in 2013, ten confirmed as heatstroke. Vehicle interiors can rapidly reach life-threatening temperatures, even on mild days around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures rising by approximately 19 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 minutes. Cracking windows offers little protection against this danger, emphasizing the critical need for caregivers to never leave children alone in a car.

So far in 2013 there have been at least twenty deaths of children unattended in vehicles; heat-stroke_80404600-300x269ten which has been confirmed as heatstroke and ten which, based upon the known circumstances, are most likely heatstroke.  These incidents can occur on days with relatively mild (~ 70 degrees F) temperatures and that vehicles can reach life-threatening temperatures very rapidly.

Average elapsed time and temperature rise

  • 10 minutes ~ 19 deg F
  • 20 minutes ~ 29 deg F
  • 30 minutes ~ 34 deg F
  • 60 minutes ~ 43 deg F
  • 1 to 2 hours ~ 45-50 deg F
  • “Cracking” the windows had little effect
  • Vehicle interior color probably biggest factor

Parents and other caregivers need to be educated that a vehicle is not a babysitter or play area … but it can easily become tragedy!