Hyperthermia Deaths of Children in Vehicles

June 29, 2011

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Hyperthermia Deaths Hyperthermia Deaths of Children in Vehiclesof Children in Vehicles

Jan Null, CCMJan Null, CCM

San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco State University

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Recent HeadlinesRecent Headlines Girl, 2, dies in daycare van

Toddlers died of hyperthermia

Police: Baby Left in Car Died from Overheating

New Braunfels infant dies in hot car

Child dies after being left in pickup

New Orleans police investigating death of small boy

……. and 9 more similar headlines this year. and 9 more similar headlines this year

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16164

2010 Headlines2010 Headlines

Twins die trapped inside a hot vehicleTwins die trapped inside a hot vehicle

Funeral today for girl found dead in hot vanFuneral today for girl found dead in hot van

Baby left in truck all day diesBaby left in truck all day dies

Toddler dies after being left in hot carToddler dies after being left in hot car

Baby daughter dies after dad forgets her inside his carBaby daughter dies after dad forgets her inside his car

Son dies after 9 hours in carSon dies after 9 hours in car

… …. And 43 more similar headlines in 2010 ….. And 43 more similar headlines in 2010 ….

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49496

How Many?How Many?

510+510+7

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1998-2010<1 Airbag death/yr38 Hyperthermia/yr

1991-199721 Airbag Deaths/yr11 Hyperthermia/yr

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What Circumstances?What Circumstances?

253253

8686

150150

100 of the “forgotten” children (44%) were100 of the “forgotten” children (44%) wereto have been dropped off childcare/preschool .to have been dropped off childcare/preschool .

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How Old?How Old?

Average Age = 21 monthsAverage Age = 21 months Youngest = 1 month (2 cases)Youngest = 1 month (2 cases) Oldest = 13 yearsOldest = 13 years

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When?When?

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Current LawCurrent Law

More states have laws against leaving pets in vehicles

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HyperthermiaHyperthermia Child’s less capable of cooling their bodiesChild’s less capable of cooling their bodies Body temperature rises 3 to 5 times fasterBody temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster Heat StrokeHeat Stroke

Body ≥ 104 ° FBody ≥ 104 ° F System shuts downSystem shuts down SymptomsSymptoms

Stops perspiring, faintness, cramps, Stops perspiring, faintness, cramps, rapid pulse, and possible delirium or comarapid pulse, and possible delirium or coma

Death at 107 ° FDeath at 107 ° F

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HyperthermiaHyperthermia… … or severe brain damage:or severe brain damage:

Before:Before:"He was talking, walking, running and acting up,” his "He was talking, walking, running and acting up,” his mother said. "He was potty trained. He was beginning to mother said. "He was potty trained. He was beginning to talk to us in sentences ... ”talk to us in sentences ... ”And now:And now:"Demarion can't talk anymore,” she said. "He moans. He "Demarion can't talk anymore,” she said. "He moans. He doesn't walk. He doesn't crawl. He's no longer potty doesn't walk. He doesn't crawl. He's no longer potty trained. He has to be fed through a tube … He can’t give us trained. He has to be fed through a tube … He can’t give us a hug anymore.”a hug anymore.”

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My Involvement?My Involvement? Almost 10 YearsAlmost 10 Years July 24, 2001, San Jose CaliforniaJuly 24, 2001, San Jose California

Kyle Patrick Gilbert (5 mo)Kyle Patrick Gilbert (5 mo) Left by 19-year-old fatherLeft by 19-year-old father

Media asked “How hot did it get in the car?”Media asked “How hot did it get in the car?”

Only study was by LA State Med. Soc. for only Only study was by LA State Med. Soc. for only a single 93° daya single 93° day

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How Hot? How Fast?How Hot? How Fast?

Summer 2002 observational studySummer 2002 observational study

16 study days 16 study days Outside air temperatures from 72 ° - 96° FOutside air temperatures from 72 ° - 96° F

On two days, measurements were also made On two days, measurements were also made with the windows “cracked” 1.5 incheswith the windows “cracked” 1.5 inches

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How Cars Get HotHow Cars Get HotIncoming Shortwave Solar Radiation Warms Interior Objects

Air and Windows are Transparent to SunlightAir and Windows are Transparent to Sunlight

Outgoing Longwave Radiation Heats the Air

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How Hot? How Fast?How Hot? How Fast?

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How Hot? How Fast?How Hot? How Fast?

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An 80° DayAn 80° Day

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An 80° DayAn 80° Day

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An 80° DayAn 80° Day

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An 80° DayAn 80° Day

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An 80° DayAn 80° Day

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An 80° DayAn 80° Day

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An 80° DayAn 80° Day

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Future EffortsFuture Efforts• TemperaturesTemperatures

• Extended time periodsExtended time periods• Different vehicle typesDifferent vehicle types

• Incident StatisticsIncident Statistics• Find unknown casesFind unknown cases

• Lexis-NexisLexis-Nexis• NetworkingNetworking

• OutreachOutreach• SafeKidsSafeKids• National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service• Harrison’s HopeHarrison’s Hope

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Safety RecommendationsSafety Recommendations• Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Never leave a child unattended in a vehicle. Not even for a minute! Not even for a minute!

• If you see a child unattended in a hot vehicleIf you see a child unattended in a hot vehicle Call 9-1-1.Call 9-1-1.

• Be sure that all occupants leave the vehicle when Be sure that all occupants leave the vehicle when unloading. Don't overlook sleeping babies. unloading. Don't overlook sleeping babies.

• Have a plan that your childcare provider will call you ifHave a plan that your childcare provider will call you if Your child does not show up for school. Your child does not show up for school.

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Safety RecommendationsSafety Recommendations

• Teach your children that vehicles are never to be used Teach your children that vehicles are never to be used as a play area. as a play area.

• Keep keys and remote entry devices out of reach.Keep keys and remote entry devices out of reach.

• If a child is missingIf a child is missing• Check the pool firstCheck the pool first• Check the car, including the trunkCheck the car, including the trunk

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SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONSSAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

SafeKidsSafeKids National Weather National Weather ServiceService

Harrison’s HopeHarrison’s Hope 31

SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONSSAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

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Contact InformationContact Information

Jan Null, CCMJan Null, CCM San Francisco State UniversitySan Francisco State University 408-379-7500408-379-7500 jnull@sfsu.edujnull@sfsu.edu ggweather.com/heat/ggweather.com/heat/

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• Evaluation form is available on our website: http://www.miemss.org/EMSCwww/CPSHome.htm; alternatively, we can email it to call participants.

• Return your completed evaluation along with the contact info page to receive your CEU certificate.