Summer Heat Raises Concerns for Heat Stroke

With the heat increasing as the summer season continues, risk for heatstroke in vehicles is a growing concern, especially for children.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, heatstroke in vehicles is the leading cause of all non-crash related fatalities involving children 14 and younger, with Georgia being one of the states with higher incidences.

The NHTSA says that children’s bodies overheat easily and infants and children under 3-years-old are at a higher risk for heat related illness.

Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said that although you may think being gone for a few minutes is harmless, you’re actually putting your child at risk.

“Summer is a particularly unsafe time for kids in cars,” said Shirley. “According to the Highway Safety Traffic Administration, 25 children die every year due to heat stroke caused by being left alone in a parked car. Even a cracked window can’t help because even on days when the temperature is cooler, your car can still lock in heat that’s too intolerable to a child.”

Aside from leaving them in a vehicle, Shirley says that leaving your car unlocked can also lead to potential dangers for children.

“Kids are very curious and the days are longer so children are out playing at later times,” said Shirley. “If a car is unlocked and this curious little kid opens the door and the door somehow closes behind the child, that child could be in that car for a long time before you realize they’re missing.”

Shirley asks that if you see a child or pet in a car with the windows up to call 911.