Child Safety in Vehicles during Hot Weather

The Health Department reminds all residents of the extreme danger caused by leaving children or pets inside any vehicle in hot weather. The tragic death of a 23-month old toddler who was accidently left in a car dramatically underscores how quickly heatstroke and death can occur in a closed space.

The National Safe Kids campaign suggests these tips for parents and caregivers:

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

• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle, even with the window slightly open.

• Always lock a vehicle’s doors and trunk – especially at home. Keep keys and remote entry devices out of children’s reach.

• Place something that you’ll need at your next stop – such as a purse, a lunch, gym bag or briefcase – on the floor of the backseat where the child is sitting. This simple act could help prevent you from accidentally forgetting a child.

There are also car seat monitors now available. One of the more popular turns on upon sensing a child's weight and sounds a lullaby when the car has stopped.

Cars parked in direct sunlight can reach internal temperatures up to 131° F - 172° F when outside temperatures are 80° F – 100° F. When the outside temperature is 83° F, even with the window rolled down 2 inches, the temperature inside the car can reach 109° F in only 15 minutes. In Spring and Summer weather, a vehicle can warm to dangerous, life-threatening levels in only 10 minutes.

The Centers for Disease Control report that very high body temperatures can cause damage to the brain and other vital organs, as well as heatstroke and death. Heatstroke occurs when the body temperature reaches 104 degrees F. The body becomes unable to control its temperature: the body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106 degrees F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. A body temperature of 107 degrees is lethal.

Signs of heatstroke include:

- Red, hot and dry skin without visible sweating
- A rapid pulse
- Headache, dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion and unconsciousness

Immediate medical attention should be sought if any of these symptoms are exhibited by friends or family members while outdoors in the heat.

Children are not the only ones in danger when left inside cars. Pets, especially dogs, also face an extreme risk when left unattended in vehicles as they can be very susceptible to high temperatures.

The State of Maryland has laws governing leaving children and/or pets unattended in vehicles which may result in fines or even imprisonment.

If you should see a child or pet left unattended in a vehicle, you are encouraged to call 9-1-1 immediately.

For more information, click on the links below.

Safe Kids USA - www.usa.safekids.org

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration - www.nhtsa.gov

National Public Radio’s (NPR) All Things Considered Travels to Howard County to Talk about Health Care

From NPR: “With health care overhaul back on Washington's agenda, NPR went to one locale to see how the big national issues play out there. In Howard County, Md., a prosperous suburb near Baltimore, we spoke with patients, doctors, administrators and employers about the costs of health care and access to the health care system.”

June 15, 2009 – The Trials of Paying for Health Care in a Recession

Patients, doctors and employers in Howard County talk about how expensive health care is — and how hard it is to pay for in a recession. Click here to listen to the podcast.

June 16, 2009 – In New Model, County Offers Low-Cost Health Care

A new county-based program aims to provide the uninsured access to health care. Lessons learned from this effort will inform the larger health care debate. Click here to listen to the podcast.

June 19, 2009 – The Costs of Health Care – Finding Ways to Save

Health care providers are seeking ways to save costs. Getting people to go to primary care doctors instead of the emergency room, electronic record keeping and a single-payer system are discussed. Click here to listen to the podcast.

Click the graphic above to watch the video. (Windows Media video format)