VIDEO: CHP Warns What Sweltering Temperatures Can Do to Your Child
In this summer heat, leaving a child alone for just a few minutes can have devastating effects.
Since March, 21 children have died from being left in a sweltering car, even with windows cracked open. And California Highway Patrol and Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital officials warn that this could happen to anyone.
A car’s interior temperature can rise 50 degrees in 50 minutes, posing even higher dangers for young children and infants, who don’t sweat as much as adults. The car’s dashboard absorbs the heat and the car becomes an oven, said VisibleKIDS founder David Bell.
VisibleKIDS began as a hobby for Bell back in 2007 when he wanted to raise awareness about how easy it is to forget a child in your car. He creates 24” visible cones that remind drivers that there is a child in the backseat. Also, it acts as an alert to passersby that there may be a child in the backseat. Bell sells the VizKID on Amazon, Cheeky Monkey Toys in Menlo Park and Talbot’s Toyworld in San Mateo, or you can visit www.visiblekids.com.
Drew Himmelstein
10:49 pm on Thursday, July 28, 2011
Do they specify the ages of the children they're referring to? Once a child is old enough to open the car door, presumably it isn't dangerous.
Stacie Chan
10:00 am on Friday, July 29, 2011
Good point, Drew. But officials said that these children can also be in danger. When they play in the driveway near an unlocked car, they can open the door, climb in, unknowingly lock the door, then become trapped inside the car. So always make sure to lock your car once you remove your children!