HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — It's that time of year. The summer heat is kicking and sticking. So, just a reminder for parents, making the decision to leave children unattended in a parked vehicle is a major safety risk. According to the CDC heat related deaths and illnesses are preventable. Despite this fact, approximately twelve hundred people in the United States are killed by extreme heat every year.
ADPH District Medical Officer Dr. Wes Stubblefield said children's temperatures typically rise faster than adults. "Even on an 80 degree day, the temperature inside the car can reach almost 110 degrees after only 20 minutes. Over the last 25 years, almost a thousand children have died of heatstroke." This is a result of either being left or trapped in a hot car. "Once their temperature rises to around 106 to 107 degrees Fahrenheit, it can kill them."
So should a child or adult face any type of heat related illness, here are some common ways to identify heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke. "The symptoms of heat exhaustion come first as their body temperature rises, they sweat profusely. they can be, you know, not feel well. and for adults, they may get nauseous or dizzy."
As for heat stroke, "... they may become confused. they may they may pass out. and this, of course, is a medical emergency. but many of these things you may not see because, you know, with children being left in cars many times, by the time it's discovered, it's too late."
Most importantly, if there are any medical concerns, Dr. Stubblefield explained that individuals should seek medical attention immediately. "If there's any concern that a person is moving into heat stroke, that their skin is hot, dry, their body temperature is very elevated, they you know, they're confused or pass out, that's a medical emergency and EMS needs to be called immediately. "