In the last ten years over 360 children have died from being left in a hot car. That's an average of 36 per year, according to a study by Meteorologist Jan Null of Golden Gate Weather Services.
Hyperthermia is the overheating of the body, and many parents are unaware of how dangerous a car can become for a small child in just a few minutes. On a 75 degree day, the interior of a vehicle can reach over 100 degrees in about a half hour. Studies show that the interior temperature will continue to increase about 45 degrees every hour.
Safety advocates like the Safe Kids Organization and General Motors are working to bring awareness to this preventable tragedy and ensure child car safety this summer.
Never leave your child alone in a vehicle. It's also important to keep parked cars locked at all times. Unlocked vehicles can be an attractive playground for older children and quickly become dangerous if a child gets locked in.
