Dangerous to leave children, elderly, disabled and pets alone in cars

 

For Immediate Release:                                                       

July 25, 2008

                                                           

Check Your Car!

 Public Health Urges Drivers Not to Leave Children, the Elderly

or Disabled, or Pets Alone in a Vehicle

 

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health would like to remind everyone that it is dangerous to leave children, elderly or disabled persons, or pets alone in motor vehicles. It is also illegal to leave a child alone inside a motor vehicle, even while the engine is running (Kaitlyn’s Law).

 

“The dangers of a hot vehicle not only affect children; the elderly and disabled are also at risk, as well as pets,” said Jonathan E. Fielding, MD, MPH, Director of Public Health and Health Officer. “Even if it is only 80 degrees outside, it takes just ten minutes for the inside of a vehicle to heat up to 100 degrees. Add another ten minutes and the temperature goes up to 109. As a driver, you are responsible for all of your passengers’ safety while the vehicle is running and when it is parked.”

 

Every year in the United States, 30 to 40 infant and toddler-aged children die from heat-related causes (hyperthermia) after being left alone in motor vehicles. In about half of these heat-related deaths, the caregiver reported being distracted and forgetting about the child in the car.

 

To prevent heat-related motor vehicle deaths:

• Never leave children, the elderly, disabled persons, or pets in a parked vehicle, even if the windows are “cracked”, the engine is running, or the vehicle is parked in the shade.
• Put something you'll need - such as your wireless phone, handbag, lunch or briefcase- on the floor in the back to remind you to check the backseat of the vehicle.
• Get in the habit of opening the back door of your vehicle every time you reach a destination.
• To remind yourself that a child is in the vehicle, keep a stuffed animal in the child’s car seat. When the child is buckled in, place the stuffed animal in the front with the driver.
• Before you leave your vehicle, check to be sure everyone is out, especially children who may have fallen asleep.

If someone has been left in a hot vehicle:

Warning signs of heat-related illness may include the following:

• Heavy sweating
• Paleness
• Muscle cramps
• Tiredness/Weakness
• Dizziness
• Headache

-MORE-

• Nausea or vomiting
• Fainting

What to Do:

• Get the person to a shady area.
• Give the person cool, nonalcoholic beverages to drink (water or sports drinks are best) if the symptoms are not severe.
• If possible, give the person a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath.
• Get the person to an air-conditioned environment as soon as possible.
• Remove heavy outer clothing.
• If symptoms are severe (extremely high body temperature; a lack of sweat; red, hot and dry skin; rapid pulse; disorientation), get medical help immediately.

For more information on how to prevent heat-related motor vehicle illness and death, please see the Injury and Violence Prevention Program webpage at: http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/ivpp/index.htm. For information by phone, please call (213) 351-7888.

 

The Department of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving the health of the nearly 10 million residents of Los Angeles County. Through a variety of programs, community partnerships and services, Public Health oversees environmental health, disease control, and community and family health. Public Health comprises more than 4,000 employees and an annual budget exceeding $750 million. To learn more about Public Health and the work we do, please visit http://www.publichealth.lacounty.gov.

 

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