Look Before You Lock
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From the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, I'm Ira Dreyfuss with HHS HealthBeat.
How hot is it? It can be hot enough to kill, if a child is left in a closed car even a short time. It may be tempting to, for instance, let the baby sleep while you run into the store. However, at HHS' Administration for Children and Families, Linda Smith warns:
"Even on a relatively mild day, temperatures rise quickly in a closed vehicle. The windows act like a greenhouse, trapping the heat inside, and within 10 minutes can reach life-threatening temperatures."
Smith says it can be deadly hot in 10 minutes even if the outside temperature is only 80 degrees. And she says children under 4 are most at risk.
Her agency reminds people, including day care providers, to be sure they have all the kids out of the vehicle. The slogan: Look Before You Lock.
Learn more at healthfinder.gov .
HHS HealthBeat is a production of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. I'm Ira Dreyfuss.