Lutheran Children’s Hospital Reminds Caregivers to Check Back Seat in Extreme Heat
6/15/2022
The team at Lutheran Children’s Hospital wants to remind parents and caregivers to protect little ones in the back seat during the extreme heat.
Dr. Stefanie Paulson, pediatric physician with Lutheran Children’s Hospital, warns the leading cause of heatstroke in children is from being left or trapped in a vehicle.
“Heatstroke can happen quickly in children because their bodies are smaller and heat up faster,” she said. “Heatstroke fatalities can even happen to children in vehicles parked in shaded areas, with windows down and in temperatures under 60 degrees. But they are also completely preventable by following a few simple rules”
- Never leave your child in a car unattended; Since cars can reach very high temperatures even in the shade with windows down and on cooler days, Dr. Paulson advises caregivers to just never risk it – even for a minute.
- Don’t allow children to play in your car. Keep car doors locked and keys out of reach at all times.
- Make a habit of checking your car’s back seat before parking and locking up for the day. Even the most attentive parents and caregivers can forget a child due to lack of sleep or changes in routines. Placing a purse or wallet and your cell phone in the backseat can help enforce the back seat check habit.
- As a bonus tip, Dr. Paulson also advises to check for hot car seats and metal buckles before placing your child in the car to avoid contact burns.
- Call 911 immediately if you see an unattended child in a vehicle.
Learn more about Lutheran Children’s Hospital’s services at LutheranChildrensHosp.com. Lutheran Health Network also offers a free monthly e-newsletter with health tips and wellness inspiration for all ages delivered directly to your inbox. Sign up at LutheranHealth.net.
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