During summer, we often see vehicles parked in an external parking garage with windows or sunroof cracked open for air circulation. However, have you ever wondered if this would actually help reducing the vehicle’s internal temperature?
We have discussed that Pediatric Vehicular Heatstroke (PVH) or hot car deaths likely to occur during the hot summer months across the United States. We have also identified how deadly the heat actually affects toddlers or babies within a few minutes. Keep in mind that the toddler’s or baby’s internal temperature is higher than adult’s and that is one of the reasons why they are more susceptible to this deadly occurrence. With internal vehicle’s temperature reaching 104 ̊F (40 ̊C) within a few minutes of time, the toddler or baby that was left in the vehicle will perish.
But what about leaving a crack in the window?
As demonstrated in the picture below, leaving a vehicle’s window or sunroof cracked may mitigate a few degrees cooler, but it does not lessen the effects of PVH at all. In a recent 2021 study done by The Zebra on hot car deaths, the following alarming statistics below show how the general public view on the effectiveness on leaving a cracked window may or may not reduce the chances of PVH.
For the year 2021, the following statistics is as follows (population of the U.S: 336,997,624). Documented PVH cases: 25.
- 51.7% of respondents said cracking open a window does not lessen nor increase the threat of heatstroke to a potential victim inside a car (approximately 174,227,772 people)
- 32.9% of respondents said cracking open a window does lessen the threat of heatstroke (approximately 110,872,218 people)
- 15.5% of respondents said cracking open a window does not lessen the threat of heatstroke (approximately 52,234,632 people)
For the year 2020, the following statistics is as follows (population of the U.S: approximately 331,002,651). Documented PVH cases: 23.
- 61.9% of people believed cracking open a window had no effect on the threat (approximately 204,890,565 people)
- 24.8% of people believed cracking open a window would mitigate the threat (approximately 82,088,657 people)
- 13.4% of people believed cracking open a window would eliminate the threat (approximately 44,354,355 people)
With this in mind educating the general public on the dangerous and deadly effects of PVH must be a priority. When it comes to a human life, none should be risking a chance or taken for granted. The editor had previously outlined some of the unfortunate reasons why PVH cases occur and how it can be prevented. Some of the reasons why children are forgotten in vehicles are as follows:
- Routine change
- Distractions due to cellphone calls, bumping into friends, etc
- Sleep deprivation
- Drugs and alcohol
- Children gained access to vehicles and being locked in it
- Playing around vehicles
- Parents running in to do a quick errand and eventually forgot them in a vehicle
- Intentionally left in vehicles
As introduced before by the editor, there are simple products that are now available in the market today to remind parents not to leave their beloved ones in the backseat of their vehicles. But there is only one comprehensive, and fool proof beta product available beta testing: The Ricket Innovation’s Baby Car Safe kit.
As a reminder we are in the process of looking for beta testers for this unique, innovative, and simple to install product. Should you be interested to apply as a beta tester, please click on the following link: https://babycarsafe.com/betaappform/.
Our children are our future! Therefore, as parents, we should love and protect our children no matter what the cost is. Do not be one of the statistics aforementioned above and spread the word that no matter where you go, pay attention to your beloved ones, and do not ever leave them alone in vehicles.
Article references:
www.thezebra.com/resources/research/hot-car-death-statistics/
Picture references:
www.kshb.com/news/local-news/trying-to-keep-your-car-cool-cracking-windows-dont-always-help
