Hyperthermia Deaths of Children in Hot Vehicles

Last year at least 42 children in the United States, ages 5 and under, died from hyperthermia (heat stroke) after being left inside enclosed vehicles. This is more than the average number of people killed in the US each year by tornadoes! Literally hundreds of other children who left in similar situation suffer great bodily harm due to the heat, not to mention animals and others at risk from high temperatures.

This study quantifies vehicle temperatures, and temperature changes with time, under a variety of meteorological circumstances. 20 different days when ambient temperatures ranged from 70 F (21C) to 100 F (38C) were studied. It found alarming temperature rises inside vehicles occurred after only a few minutes and that lethal vehicle temperatures could be reached on days when the ambient temperature was as low at 70 degrees (21C).

It also briefly looks at the physiological responses of persons in extreme temperature situations. Finally it documents hyperthermia deaths over the past 6 years in the United States.