The Hidden Dangers of Leaving Children in Hot Cars

Leaving children in hot cars, even briefly, can pose severe health risks. In extreme cases, it may even be life-threatening.

Misconception of Rapid Cooling
Many assume that turning on the air conditioning will rapidly cool down the interior of a hot car. However, this cooling process is not as quick as one might hope. The time required to lower extreme temperatures to something safe and child-friendly can be lengthy enough to cause significant harm to a child’s health.

Ideal Temperature vs. Reality
Children are most comfortable at temperatures ranging from 20-22°C. During summer, a car’s interior can quickly exceed 70°C, dangerously high for anyone, but especially for children. As a result of the heat, the car’s interior, particularly its plastic components, can release toxic substances when exposed to sunlight.

Children’s Vulnerability to Heat
Children are less able to regulate their body’s temperature than adults, making them particularly susceptible to heat. Exposure to high temperatures for just 3-5 minutes can lead to overheating, causing symptoms like fatigue, nausea, rapid breathing and heart rate, dizziness, and even loss of consciousness. Dehydration is another risk, since children weigh less and lose water more quickly, they can easily experience skin irritation, rashes, and inflammation.

Severe Consequences of Prolonged Exposure
If a child remains in a hot car for over 20 minutes, the risk of heatstroke increases significantly. This is even more likely if they have dry, pale, or heat sensitive skin. A 42°C body temperature can result in their body shutting down, potentially leading to irreversible damage or even death.

Invisible Threats: Air Quality
Apart from the temperature, the air quality inside a car exposed to the sun poses another invisible but equally dangerous threat. Heat triggers the release of harmful chemicals like carcinogens, toluene, formaldehyde, benzopyrene, and phenolic compounds from the car’s interior. These substances can quickly reach unhealthy levels in confined spaces, causing respiratory and heart diseases, allergic reactions, and even contribute to the development of cancer.

«The greatest danger for a child left in a car is heatstroke. Heatstroke can damage the brain and other organ functions, which can be fatal.

The temperature inside a car can rise by 20 degrees in just 10 minutes after parking. Within an hour the interior temperature can reach up to 40 degrees! It’s not necessary for the weather to be hot outside for a dangerous situation to arise inside. Even leaving the windows slightly open will not prevent the car interior from reaching dangerous temperatures.

This is because a child’s body heats up much faster than an adult’s body, as a child’s body is not as effective at cooling itself», — Irina Pronkinova, pediatrician of the children’s clinic DETKI.CLINIC

Protecting Your Child from the Heat

Method 1: Assistance and Preparation
Always have someone look after your child while you cool the car. Begin by ventilating and cooling the interior before placing your child inside. Make sure the air conditioning stays on.

Method 2: Strategic Parking
Opt for travel destinations with air-conditioned parking facilities. This approach prevents having your car and your child bake under the sun. However, reaching your final destination may still require a walk in the heat.

Method 3: Advanced Climate Control
Consider using a remote automotive climate control system like the Gazer Multiclimate System™. Using a phone app, this system allows you to simultaneously plan trips, pre-cool, and ventilate your car. You can set it so the car remains at a constant temperature, or have it activate at specific times, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment for your child before they enter the vehicle.

Understanding the risks and taking proactive measures can significantly reduce the dangers of leaving children in hot cars. By staying informed and utilizing all available technologies, parents and guardians can ensure a safe and comfortable journey for their little ones.