Fire Department: Don't Leave Children, Pets In Hot Cars

A release from the Stoneham Fire Department:

STONEHAM - As temperatures continue to rise, Chief Matthew Grafton and the Stoneham Fire Department would like to remind residents of the dangers associated with leaving a child or pet in a hot car.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 42 children died from vehicular heatstroke in 2017 — a 63 percent increase from 2015.

Heatstroke is when a person’s core body temperature rises to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. A temperature of 107 degrees can result in irreversible organ damage or death. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, young children’s bodies heat up three to five times faster than an adult’s, thus putting them at higher risk.

"Temperatures inside a car can rise 20 degrees in a matter of 10 minutes," Chief Grafton said. "We urge residents to never leave children and pets inside a vehicle, even if you're quickly running an errand. Put safety measures in place if you have young children in the backseat to ensure they're not forgotten when you leave your vehicle."

Even on a 60-degree day, temperatures inside a car can reach 110 degrees, and on a hot day, they can get to 125 degrees in a matter of minutes. The majority of deaths occur when a parent or caregiver forgets a child in a car.

Chief Grafton recommends that residents follow several important safety tips from the NHTSA:

Always check the back seats of your vehicle before your lock it and walk away.

Keep a stuffed animal or other memento in your child’s car seat when it’s empty, and move it to the front seat as a visual reminder when your child is in the back seat.

If someone else is driving your child, or your daily routine has been altered, always check to make sure your child has arrived safely to his/her destination.

Have your daycare provider call you if your child doesn’t arrive.

If you see a child left in a car, take action immediately. Do not wait for the driver to return or assume that they will be back soon. If the child appears to be in distress, attempt to get them out of the car immediately, even it means breaking a window, and dial 911.

Pets should also not be left in cars. According to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, pets suffer needlessly when left in hot cars, even on moderately warm days. Such actions can result not only in harm to your pet but also fines and possible prison time for pet owners.