HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — According to injuryfacts.org on average 39 children under the age of 15 die as a result of heat stroke after being left in a car each year. 2019 and 2018 saw the highest number of deaths on record since 1999. 2019 saw 52 deaths and 2018 saw 53 deaths.
849 cases were studied between 1998 and 2019 and found that the most common reason is simply forgetting:
- 54.2% - Forgotten by caregiver (460 children)
- 25.2% - Gained Access on their own (214)
- 19.1% - Knowingly left by caregiver (162)
- 1.5 % - Unknown (13)
So far 2020 has seen 15 child hot car deaths. The temperature can rise in a car quickly as the temperature outside rises. Below are a few examples of the car temperature verse the outside air temperature.
With an air temperature of 85° a car is already above 100° after 10 minutes. After 30 minutes the inside of the car is nearly 120°.
With an air temperature of 90° a car is almost 110° after 10 minutes. After 30 minutes the inside of the car is nearly 125°. After an hour the inside car temp is 133°.
With an air temperature of 95° a car is 115° after 10 minutes. After 30 minutes the inside of the car is nearly 130°.
Not that one should leave a child in the car even with the window cracked, but a cracked window does make a significant difference in the car temperature. With an air temperature of 92° the inside of a car is 115° with a closed window, but around 109° with a cracked window. Obviously 109° is still incredible hot.
The above chart shows that even with an air temperature of 75° the car eventually surpasses the 100°. This conveys the simple message of checking the backseat before leaving your car.
