In 10 minutes – 109F.
In 20 minutes – 119F.
In 30 minutes – 124F.
In 60 minutes – 133F.
In 90 minutes – 138F.
Pretty hot – right? So what happens to a child’s body when subjected to these temperatures?
Heatstroke (which can lead to high fever), dehydration, seizures, stroke, and death.
What would a child actually experience at those temperatures?
- Headache
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Muscle cramps
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Coma
Since 1998, an average of 38 children have died in hot cars each year in the U.S. This year already, 16 have died from heatstroke, including a boy from Connecticut. In that instance, a father was supposed to take his son to daycare but left the child in the car at work for an extended period of time instead. Temperatures in the car that day probably reached more than 120F. Another such event involved a daycare provider who locked an infant in a car for over 45 minutes in the heat. The traumatized child was discovered by passersby who alerted authorities in time to save the child.
Beyond these events, there were six more reported incidents in Connecticut of adults leaving children alone in hot cars during July.
In response to these incidents, the State of Connecticut just announced a new campaign called “Where’s baby? Look before you lock”. The state Department of Transportation is providing a $100,000 grant to fund the program.
What can you do to keep your children safe on hot summer days?
- Never leave a child in a car unattended for even short periods of time – ever.
- Make a habit of checking your car’s interior before you leave a car parked to make sure a child did not enter the car without you knowing it.
- If you ever see a child unattended and locked in a parked car on a warm day – consider calling 911.
If your child is ever left unattended in a car by a caregiver and suffers harm, call a qualified Connecticut personal injury lawyer. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can help to ensure that your child’s rights are protected.
Please contact us at RisCassi & Davis if we can help you.
The consultation is free and there is no obligation of any kind.