July 17, 2014
FREDERICK, MD - The Frederick Police Department would like to remind citizens to never leave your children or pets in cars unattended. So far in 2014 there have been at least seventeen (17) heatstroke deaths of children in vehicles in the United States. In 2013, there were at least forty-four (44) deaths of children in vehicles nationwide. Heatstroke is the number one killer of children, outside of car crashes.
FACTS
• Within 10 minutes your car can heat up 20 degrees, which means if it 90 degrees outside it could be 110 degrees inside your car.
• Within 20 minutes your car can heat up to 30 degrees which means if it is 90 degrees outside it could be 120 degrees inside your car.
• Cracking a window has little to no effect on keeping the car cool.
• On an 80 degree day, a car can reach deadly levels in just 10 minutes.
• Even with temperatures in the 60’s your car can heat up to well over 110 degrees.
• A child’s body temperature can rise up to five times faster than an adult’s.
• Heatstroke can happen when the temperature is as low as 57 degrees outside!
• A child dies when his/her temperature reaches 107!
This is an IMPORTANT REMINDER to never leave your children in the car unattended even for a minute! If you see a child (or animal) in a car unattended please dial 911 immediately.
Author of Release: Michele Bowman (301) 600-2091 mbowman@frederickmdpolice.org