Since Jan. 1, 32 children have lost their lives due to heatstroke. In an effort to keep children safe, McLeod Safe Kids raises awareness on the dangers of heatstroke and offers tips on how to prevent hyperthermia.
WHAT IS HYPERTHERMIA
Hyperthermia, commonly referred to as heatstroke, is the most serious form of heat injury and is a result of prolonged exposure to high temperatures in combination with dehydration. The medical definition of heatstroke is a core body temperature of 104 degrees Fahrenheit with complications involving the nervous system that develop after prolonged heat exposure.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of heatstroke include fainting; throbbing headache; dizziness and light-headedness; lack of sweating despite the heat; red, hot, and dry skin; muscle weakness or cramps; nausea and vomiting; rapid heartbeat (which may be either strong or weak); shallow breathing; behavioral changes such as confusion, disorientation, or staggering; seizures and unconsciousness.
Seek medical attention immediately if anyone displays these symptoms.
HOW TO PREVENT HYPERTHERMIA
Hyperthermia is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths among children ages 14 and under. However, there are ways to reduce and prevent this act from occurring. Most children are victims to hyperthermia because something was different from the daily routine that day. A parent took them to a doctor’s appointment and then headed to work, distracted, instead of taking them to daycare first. Or a grandparent who doesn’t usually keep them, drove them, and went into the bank and forgot they were sleeping in the back.
Fortunately, because of the risk for younger children, car seat manufacturers’ and car dealers are creating devices to help remind drivers there are passengers in the rear seat of the vehicle. In the meantime, there are some things you can do to reduce the possibility of heatstroke, including:
• Keep your car locked so children cannot get in without your knowledge,
• Practice checking the backseat even if you don’t have children or animals, in the car,
• Take one shoe off and place it in the back seat as you start your drive,
• Set an alert on your phone to go off at the end of your drive,
• Have your daycare center or nanny call to let you know you never dropped off your child,
Each state has heatstroke laws in order to protect those who cannot help themselves. For instance, in South Carolina, the Good Samaritan law allows people to break into vehicles if they see children or animals locked inside. To learn more about this law, visit the scstatehouse.gov website.
Heatstroke is a tragedy that has already claimed the lives of 14 victims in 2017. Remember to ACT,
• A: Avoid heatstroke-related injury and death by never leaving your child alone in a car, not even for a minute. Always lock your doors and trunks – even in your driveway. Also, keep your keys and key fobs out of the reach of children.
• C: Create reminders. Place something you'll need at your next stop - like a briefcase or cell phone - next to the child safety seat. It may seem simple, but this can be a helpful reminder on a chaotic day.
• T: Take action. If you see a child alone in a car, take action. Call 911. Emergency personnel are trained to respond to these situations.
To learn more about McLeod Safe Kids Pee Dee/Coastal, please call (843) 777-5021 or visit www.McLeodSafeKids.org. You can also find the group on Facebook under McLeod Safe Kids.
