Two important steps to prevent hot car deaths and injuries are to keep cars locked and keys out of reach of children.(iStock)
By: Jessica Pasley

Back to school can be a hectic time for families, caregivers and school personnel, with new schedules and responsibilities to juggle. 

Advocates at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt urge everyone to slow down during this season of change. 

“Routine changes are hard,” said Stacey Pecenka, MPH, CPH, Manager of the Trauma Injury Prevention Program at Monroe Carell. “Life is full of distractions — being overwhelmed, busy and multitasking can make it easier to leave a child in the car. 

“We want to encourage everyone to get into the routine of always checking the back seats of your vehicle before you lock it and walk away. This is a preventable tragedy,” said Pecenka. “We want to raise awareness about promoting safer habits.” 

Pecenka said it only takes 10 minutes for the temperature inside a vehicle to rise 19 degrees and continue to rise. Even on cooler days closer to 70 degrees, children can experience vehicular heatstroke. 

A child’s body heats up three to five times faster than an adult’s body, according to physicians at Monroe Carell. When the body’s temperature reaches 104 degrees, the internal organs begin to shut down. Children are placed at extreme risk for severe hyperthermia and heatstroke in just minutes. 

Two important steps to prevent hot car deaths and injuries are to keep cars locked and keys out of reach of children. 

Monroe Carell offers the following tips to help avoid vehicle-related injuries or death: 

  • Never leave your child alone inside the car, even for a minute. 
  • Use cellphone or computer reminders to make sure children have been dropped off at the desired location. 
  • If your child is missing, check vehicles and trunks first. 
  • Teach your children to never play inside vehicles to prevent them from accidentally locking themselves inside one. 
  • Be sure to lock all vehicle doors and windows on your property. 
  • Community members who see a child left alone in a hot vehicle should act immediately and call 911. 
  • Look before you lock: Get into the routine of always checking the back seats of your vehicle before you lock it and walk away. 
  • Leave yourself a gentle reminder: Get in the habit of keeping a stuffed toy or other memento in your child’s car seat, then move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when the baby is in the back seat. Or place your phone, briefcase or purse in the back seat when traveling with your child. 
  • Have a plan with your childcare provider: If your child does not show up to daycare without prior notice, someone should call to locate the child. Have your childcare provider call if your child is more than 10 minutes late. 

Tennessee has reported two hot car-related child deaths in the past week. 

“It’s very unusual for our state,” said Pecenka. “Our records show that Tennessee usually averages one to three of these tragic events a year. This heat wave has been devastating for our communities.”