13. Importance of Transportation Safety

Question 1

Importance of Transportation Safety

Of the children who have died in hot cars, half of the deaths occur because a caregiver forgot the child in the car.

Answer 1

The interior of the car heats up quickly, even in the shade. No one thinks it can happen to them but the reality is that it can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, gender, socioeconomic status, intelligence level, or occupation.

Question 2

Individuals forget when they:

Answer 2

• Are operating on autopilot mode
• Have a change in routine
• Are stressed, tired, sick, or distracted

Question 3

Heat Stroke

Answer 3

As the child sits in the car, their body temperature rises and the child can suffer from heat stroke. Heat stroke occurs when the body cannot cool itself down quickly enough. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (2019), a child’s body temperature rises up to five times faster than an adult’s does. When a child is suffering from heat stroke, it can cause a shock to the system, organ failure, and/or brain damage. This occurs when the core body temperature reaches 104 degrees Fahrenheit.