At The Paul Powell Law Firm, our Las Vegas injury attorneys and legal staff are deeply committed to protecting children. The devastating consequences of vehicular heat stroke are a tragedy we strive to prevent. Our firm is dedicated to raising awareness about this critical issue and providing essential information to safeguard our community’s most vulnerable members. In the following sections, we will explore the dangers of leaving children unattended in vehicles. Our goal is to empower parents, caregivers, and the public with knowledge that can help protect children from vehicle heat stroke and save lives.
A Common, Dangerous Child Endangerment Scenario
You slip into a narrow parking space between a beaten-down 10-year-old construction truck and a newer sedan. As you switch the key off, your ride’s engine bucks softly to a stop, and the AC goes silent. You step out into the searing Vegas summer heat, momentarily holding your breath. It’s 10:00 a.m. and it’s already 95°.
You hear the gratifying ka-click as the doors lock, and you begin walking away, casually glancing over your shoulder at the idling sedan parked next to you. It’s running, but no one is in it. Weird. Wait! There’s a kid in the back car seat. Where are the parents?!?
Unfortunately, this dangerous child endangerment scenario occurs in Las Vegas and many other cities and towns across the nation. On the surface, there appears to be some sort of concern. Someone left the car running…but where are they? Is the AC on? Is the child abandoned? What store did they run into? Why did they leave an unattended child in the back seat of a running car? What if someone steals the car and the kid?
What Should You Do If You See Children in a Hot Vehicle?
In this situation, what should you do? If danger appears immediate and harm imminent, Nevada law encourages you to take action. You are protected under “Good Samaritan” legislation.
If the car is off and the child is unresponsive to your window tapping and yelling, break into the car via a window, preferably one away from the child to spare them a glass fragment shower. Render assistance as best you can. Shout out for help from others nearby. You should also designate people to summon emergency assistance and authorities via 911.
In the original scenario, the situation is much foggier. The car is on, but the child’s responsiveness is unknown. This should be a major factor in deciding a proper course of action. The outcomes for situations like these are often very bad.
Every summer, children are lost because people left them locked in the back seats of sweltering vehicles, especially in hot climates like the desert Southwest. According to the National Safety Council, 14 kids have died in hot cars in Nevada since 1998.
Preventative Measures to Protect Children from Vehicle Heat Stroke
To help protect children from vehicle heat stroke and avoid hot car deaths, the Las Vegas Metro Police Department offers these preventative measures:
- Look in the Back Seat: Every time you park and close the driver’s door, check the back seat.
- Place Important Items in the Back: Put something critically important to you in the back with the child.
- Announce Responsibilities: When leaving a vehicle with a group, clearly announce who is to get the children.
- Alert Care Providers: Ask care providers to notify you if a child does not show up for an appointment.
- Use Technology: Set reminders in phones or install occupied seat sensors.
The four most important words to help avoid accidentally abandoning children inside hot vehicles: LOOK BEFORE YOU LOCK!
Additional Safety Tips to Protect Children from Vehicle Heat Stroke
Sometimes, inquisitive kids unknowingly trap themselves inside vehicles. Children often roam yards, garages, and neighborhoods, especially during summer vacation.
Unfortunately, there have been incidents where children went missing and were found inside vehicles.
To help protect children from vehicle heat stroke and avoid these potentially deadly situations:
- Keep Vehicles Locked: Ensure unattended vehicles are locked with the windows up high enough that children cannot wiggle inside.
- Never Leave Keys Accessible: Don’t leave keys inside a car within the reach of children.
- Check Surrounding Vehicles: If a child goes missing, immediately check inside surrounding vehicles, including trunks.
- Teach Children to Honk Horns: Instruct children to honk the horn if they become trapped in a vehicle.
The Risks of Heat Stroke and Death from Leaving Children in Vehicles
Leaving children or pets inside vehicles for even just a few minutes is unconscionable. Even with the windows cracked. According to the non-profit Kids and Cars, vehicles heat up very quickly, reaching deadly temperatures of 125° within minutes. Temperatures reach 80% of their height in the first 10 minutes.
In Vegas, interior vehicle temperatures during triple-digit summers easily reach over 164°. Never flirt with disaster by leaving children in a closed car for even a minute. When you see others doing it, speak up and help protect children from vehicle heat stroke or death.
Nighttime Heat Stroke Risks for Kids in Cars
Just because the sun has set doesn’t mean the danger is over. Nighttime poses a significant risk for children left in vehicles. While the immediate heat of the day may have dissipated, the car itself continues to act as a heat trap.
Parked cars, even at night, retain heat generated from the engine, which gradually radiates into the cabin. Additionally, the asphalt and concrete surrounding the vehicle absorb and release heat over an extended period, creating a microclimate around the car that can be dangerously hot. This trapped heat, combined with a child’s inability to regulate their body temperature effectively, can lead to rapid heatstroke and even wrongful death.
It’s crucial to understand that the risk of heatstroke is present 24 hours a day, regardless of the time of day.
Final Thoughts About How to Protect Children from Vehicle Heat Stroke
Prolonged exposure to heat in excess of 90° becomes deadly. Imagine what happens to children inside vehicles during triple-digit heat!
We want you and yours to remain safe and happy throughout the summer and all year long. If your child should suffer from heat stroke or death because of the negligence or recklessness of another, contact our Las Vegas personal injury law firm for legal help.
The Paul Powell Law Firm is available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to discuss your injury claim and to schedule your free consultation. You can reach us by phone at (702) 728-5500 or visit our Las Vegas office. Contact us today to make sure that your family gets the justice and compensation they deserve.