Marshall Co. Sheriff's Office Warns About the Risks Of Heatstroke

June 28, 2012

Marshall County - As outside temperatures rise, the dangers for children being seriously injured or even dying from being left alone inside a hot car also rise. That's why the Marshall County Sheriff's Office has joined with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in an effort to reduce these deaths by reminding parents and caregivers about the dangers of heatstroke in young children.

As outside temperatures rise, the dangers for children being seriously injured or even dying from being left alone inside a hot car also rise. That's why the Marshall County Sheriff's Office has joined with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in an effort to reduce these deaths by reminding parents and caregivers about the dangers of heatstroke in young children.

According to NHTSA, heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash vehicle fatalities for children 14 and under. In fact, one child dies from heatstroke, nearly every 10 days, from being left in a hot vehicle. Warning signs of heatstroke include: red, hot, and moist or dry skin, no sweating, a strong rapid pulse, or a slow weak pulse, nausea, confusion or acting strangely. If a child exhibits any of these signs after being in a hot vehicle, cool the child rapidly (not an ice bath but by spraying them with cool water or with a garden hose). Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. "Children's body temperatures can rise up to five times faster than that of an adult, and heatstroke can occur in temperatures as low as 57 degrees," said Sheriff Kamatchus. "On an 80° day, a car can reach deadly levels in just 10 minutes."

NHTSA and Sheriff Kamatchus would like to remind everyone of a few key safety tips to prevent deadly accidents and to prevent vehicular heatstroke:

• Never leave an infant or child unattended in a vehicle-even if the windows are partly open, or the engine is running and the air conditioning is on;
• Don't let children play in an unattended vehicle. Teach them a vehicle is not a play area;
• Make a habit of looking in the vehicle - front and back - before locking the door and walking away;
• Take steps to remember not to leave a child in a vehicle:
  • Write yourself a note and place it where you'll see it when you leave the vehicle.
  • Place your purse, briefcase, or something else you're sure to need in the back seat so you'll be sure to see a child left in the vehicle.
  • Keep an object in the car seat, such as a stuffed toy. Once the child is buckled in, place the object where the driver will notice it when he or she leaves the vehicle;
• Always lock vehicle doors and trunks and keep keys out of children's reach. If a child is missing, check the vehicle first, including the trunk.
• Ask your childcare center to call you if your child doesn't arrive on time for childcare.
• If you see a child alone in a hot vehicle, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If they are in distress due to heat, get them out as quickly as possible. Cool the child rapidly (not an ice bath but by spraying them with cool water from a garden hose.

About Marshall County Sheriff's Office
The Marshall County, Iowa Sheriff's Office is headed up by Sheriff Ted G. Kamatchus. Sheriff Kamatchus is committed to keeping communities and neighborhoods safe in Marshall County.

For additional information or a sample copy, contact:
Deputy Ben Veren
Marshall County Sheriff's Office
641-754-6380
Fax 641-754-6325
Sheriff@co.marshall.ia.us
www.marshallcountysheriff.com

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