The Truth About Heat Stoke

Hey Y'all

Today is National Heat Stoke day. I know summertime is winding down but the hot weather might be around for a little longer. I just watched this video and it REALLY messed me up.


Source: Upworthy.com

This reenactment got me to the heart so I knew I had to share it.
As a mom I know how preoccupied we can be when running errands and often times we forget lots of things.  I've been guilty of moving to fast and almost left a kid in the car buckled into their car seat. ALMOST. If you've read my blog you know that my husband has locked the twins in the car before but that was a accident. We have never left our kids in the car intentionally. Running into the store real quick, take your kid with you, just dropping something in the mailbox, don't leave that baby (or pet) in the car. A simple inconvenience can divert a lifetime of pain.

Here are some valuable facts about heatstroke that you need to know. Please share this information with your loved ones and be sure to check the backseat before you leave your car.

So far in 2013 there have been at least twenty-four deaths of children unattended in vehicles; sixteen which has been confirmed as heatstroke and eight which, based upon the known circumstances, are most likely heatstroke (2013 list).  Last year there were at least thirty-three deaths of children (see 2012 list) due to hyperthermia (heatstroke) after being left in or having gained access to hot cars, trucks, vans and SUV's.  Since 1998 there have been at least 585 documented cases of heatstroke deaths of children in vehicles.  This study shows that these incidents can occur on days with relatively mild (i.e., ~ 70 degrees F) temperatures and that vehicles can reach life-threatening temperatures very rapidly.

STATISTICS

• Total number of U.S. heatstroke deaths of children left in cars, 2013: 24
• Total number of U.S. heatstroke deaths of children left in cars, 2012:  33
• Total number of U.S. heatstroke  deaths of children left in cars, 1998-present:  585
• Average number of U.S. child heatstroke fatalities per year since 1998: 37
• See Monthly Statistics
• See Per Capita Deaths by State

• Circumstances
  • An examination of media reports about the 561 child vehicular heatstroke deaths for an thirteen year period (1998 through 2012) shows the following circumstances:
    • 51% - child "forgotten" by caregiver (288 Children)
    • 29% - child playing in unattended vehicle (163)
    • 18% - child intentionally left in vehicle by adult  (101)
    • 2% - circumstances unknown (9)

• Ages
  Children that have died from vehicular heatstroke in the United States (1998-2012) have ranged in age from 5 days to 14 years.  More than half of the deaths are children under 2 years of age.  Below are the percentage of total deaths (and the number of deaths) sorted by age.

  Less than 1 year old = 31% (171) 1-year old = 22% (123) 2-years old = 20% (109) 3-years old = 14% (78) 4-years old = 6% (33)

  5-years old = 3% (17) 6-years old = 2% (9) 7-years old = < 1% (2) 8-years old = 1% (3) 9-years old = < 1% (2)

  10-years old = 1% (3) 11-years old = < 1% (2) 12-years old = < 1% (1) 13-years old = < 1% (1)  14-years old = < 1% (2)  Unknown = < 1% (2)