In recognition of National Heatstroke Prevention Awareness Day on Tuesday, July 31, Insurance Commissioner and Safe Kids N.C. Chairman Mike Causey along with the N.C. Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Mark Ezzell will demonstrate the danger of leaving a child in a hot car for just one minute.
Using a large digital thermometer to display the temperature inside and outside a vehicle, Commissioner Causey and Director Ezzell will roast some s’mores inside the vehicle to demonstrate how temperatures can quickly climb to dangerous levels. The event will also showcase new vehicle technology -- a Rear Seat Reminder feature, which now comes standard on all GM cars years 2018 and newer, that alerts a parent to check the backseat when they turn off the car.
This year, a total of 28 kids have died in the U.S. related to heatstroke including one in North Carolina, when a seven-month old boy in Raleigh was accidentally left in the car for at least two hours.
“The unfortunate thing is that these tragedies are completely avoidable,” said Commissioner Causey. “By taking simple steps, we can help one another prevent the tragedy of child heatstroke.”
In the last 20 years, more than 700 children in the U.S. have died from heatstroke. According to Safe Kids Worldwide, children are more at risk of heatstroke as their body heat rises three to five times faster than an adult.
On an 80-degree day, the inside of a closed car can, within minutes, exceed 100 degrees. Cracking a window does not help keep the inside of a car cool.
Awareness campaigns, such as Safe Kids N.C.’s “Look Before You Lock” campaign, along with hot car displays, help educate the public on the grave dangers of leaving a child in the car for just one minute.
Here is the itinerary for Tuesday’s event:
WHO: N.C. Department of Insurance Commissioner and Safe Kids N.C. Chairman Mike Causey, Governor’s Highway Safety Program Director Mark Ezzell
WHERE: Bicentennial Mall,
1 E. Edenton St.
Raleigh, N.C. 27601
WHAT: To educate the public on the dangers of leaving a child in the car for just one minute and to start the conversations on the dangers of heatstroke and proper installation of their child passenger safety seat.
WHY: Commissioner Mike Causey along with the Governor’s Highway Safety Program want to bring awareness to prevent deaths and injuries caused by child heatstroke.
WHEN: Tuesday, July 31, 11:30 a.m.
Safe Kids North Carolina reaches out to parents, caregivers and children to prevent childhood injuries. For more information, visit www.ncsafekids.org.