1. HYPOTHERMIA

People traveling in motor vehicles need to be aware of the hidden dangers of heat-related injuries, especially for children and seniors on high temperature days. These dangers can surface even after short periods of time in a hot vehicle.

Beware of heat exhaustion and heat strokes

 

When outside temperatures reach 90^oF (34^oC). Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside the vehicle can reach 125^oF (52^oC) in just 20 minutes and approximately 140^oF (60^oC) in as little as 40 minutes. This temperature can rapidly cause hypothermia and heat stroke, which can cause severe brain damage and death.

As the temperature rises, remember these safety guidelines:

• Never leave a child in a vehicle with the windows closed in hot weather.

• Teach children not to play in, or around vehicles.

• Pay particular attention to children when loading and unloading to be sure they have not entered the car trunk.

• When traveling, always make sure all passengers have exited the vehicle once you reach your destination. Do not overlook a sleeping passenger.

• Avoid hot surfaces in your vehicles (e.g. safety belt buckles and latch plates, vinyl, or leather seats, child passenger seats, dashboards and side of vehicle) that can cause contact burns.

• Use windows shades in the front and rear windows. Place a light covering or shading over seats to reduce heat buildup in the vehicle.

• Before entering, run the air conditioner to help cool off the vehicle.

• Keep the vehicle doors and trunk locked at all times, especially when parked in the garage or driveway or near houses. Children may become trapped while playing inside the passenger compartment or trunk of a car.

• Rear seats that fold down for trunk access should be kept closed (and locked if possible) to prevent children from entering the trunk from the inside of the vehicle.

• Be aware of child resistant locks and teach older children how to work the driver's door locks if they should become locked unintentionally in the vehicle.

• Contact your local automobile dealership about getting a trunk release retrofitted in the trunk of your vehicle.