May 1 is National Heatstroke Prevention Day: Look Before You Lock

May 1 is National Heatstroke Prevention Day. The County of Monterey Health Department's Public Health Bureau wants to remind parents and caregivers to always look before you lock car doors and walk away from a vehicle.

The "Look Before You Lock" annual campaign raises awareness about the dangers of vehicular heatstroke. Vehicular heatstroke is the leading cause of non-crash, vehicle-related deaths for children 14 years of age and younger in the United States. On average, 37 children in the U.S. die each year as a result of vehicular heatstroke.

"Parents and caregivers think this sort of tragedy could never happen to them," Julia Muruato, County of Monterey Child Passenger Safety Program Supervisor said. "These tragedies are 100% preventable. We're reminding everyone to look before you lock, always secure your vehicle, and keep keys out of children's reach. If you see a child alone in a vehicle, act immediately. Quick action saves lives."

Hot cars are deadly. Internal vehicle temperatures can quickly rise to 50 degrees warmer than outside temperatures. Because a child's body temperature increases 3 to 5 times faster than an adult's, even a cool day outside may still pose a threat to a child. Additionally, toddlers and young children are more likely to climb into a hot car and become trapped inside. Children gaining access to a vehicle and being unable to get out account for nearly one-quarter of hot car deaths.

To help protect you and your family, keep the following tips in mind to help prevent child heatstroke:

• Make it a habit to look in the back seat every time you get out of the car. Put something in the back seat that you won't forget, such as a purse, phone, or wallet, as a reminder.
• Never leave a child alone in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.
• Always lock your vehicle and keep keys out of children's reach.
• Teach your children that the vehicle is not a playground.

If you see a child in a hot vehicle that appears to be in distress or is unresponsive, call 9-1-1. The warning signs of heatstroke in children include red, hot, and moist or dry skin; no sweating; a rapid or weak pulse; nausea; confusion; or acting strangely.

For more information about vehicle related heatstroke, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website at https://nhtsa.gov/campaign/heatstroke

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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