Hamad Medical Corporation, through the Hamad Injury Prevention Program (HIPP) of Hamad Trauma Center, recently issued a list of best practices to keep residents in Qatar, especially their kids, safe while in cars during the hot weather.
According to HIPP Assistant Director Dr Aisha Abeid, the public needs to be reminded of the increased risk of heatstroke, even death, if children are left inside hot cars – as the temperature inside a parked car, can be as much as 40°C hotter than it is outside.
Even on a cool day, the temperature difference can be over 20°C hotter. This temperature difference can cause a rise in a child’s temperature within the first five minutes, significantly increasing the risk for high fever, dehydration, seizures, heat stroke, and even death. Dr Abeid said that hot days bring dangers to everyone, but for children, the risks are much higher.
A child’s temperature rises five times faster than an adult’s temperature, especially on hot days, increasing their risk for dehydration and heatstroke.
Dr Abeid further explained that parked cars can get hot very fast. Even when a car is parked in the shade, the temperature inside a car can rise to dangerous and even fatal levels very quickly. The younger the child, the greater sensitivity to heatstroke, and the faster they can become dehydrated. Deaths from heatstroke can happen even when cars are parked in the shade and winding the window down five cm or so has little effect on rising heat, also the colour of the seats and interior has no effect on rising heat and large cars heat up just as fast as small cars.
She said that it is not safe at all to leave a child unattended in a vehicle for any amount of time, even for a minute. If you have to leave your car for any reason, she said to always take your child with you. And these risks are not confined to children only.
Elderly people or those with co-morbidities or chronic diseases are as vulnerable as young children if they are left or wait for some time in hot cars.
In some cases, children are left in cars because they are asleep or are forgotten by busy parents or drivers who are uninformed and don’t understand the risk for young kids.
Always remember that kids with special needs need more attention and are at higher risk to get locked or fall asleep in any parked car. HIPP shares the following basic recommendations to keep children safe from the extreme heat while in cars:
- It is not safe at all to leave a child unattended inside a vehicle for any amount of time, even for a minute.
- Be sure that all children are leaving the car with you especially the younger ones.
- If you can’t find one of the children, always check the car in case a child is hiding inside.
- Make a reminder that your child is in the car with you. For example, you could put your child’s bag or lunch box on the front seat where you can see it.
- Leave something in the back seat next to your child. Choose an item that you’ll need at the end of the car trip, like your phone, wallet or bag.
- Always keep your car locked when you’re not in the car, especially in your garage at home, so your child doesn’t get in to play or hide inside.
- Never give your child car keys to play with and make sure to keep keys out of reach of children. This can help prevent your child from accidentally locking himself in the car.
- Talk to your child about not playing with the buttons inside the car and activate the child lock so he/she cannot control the door locks.
The following tips can help keep your child comfortable and safe when you’re driving in hot conditions:
- Give your child plenty of water to drink during car trips.
- Dress your child in cool, comfortable, loose-fitting clothing.
- Check the temperature of car seats, harnesses and seat belts before your child gets into the car. Hot metal, plastic or leather can burn your child. If surfaces are hot, cover them with a damp cloth and then help your child into the car.
- Don’t loosen your child’s harness in summer – it must fit snugly whether he’s awake or asleep. A loose or twisted harness can put your child at risk of injury in a crash.
- Use shades on your car windows to protect your child from the sun if your windows aren’t tinted. Avoid putting a hood or bonnet over a capsule to protect a baby from the sun, because this reduces air circulation.
- Plan car travels for the cooler times of the day if you can. Cool your car as much as possible before you let your child get in.
In case your child develops any heat-related illness symptoms like sweating, dehydration or confusion you should take him/her to a cooler area immediately to reduce body temperature and call 999 for proper guidance.
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