In the last few weeks there have been reported incidents of children left unattended in vehicles that have resulted in a death. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office would like to take the opportunity to inform the public in the dangers of not only leaving a child unattended in a vehicle but the dangers of not correctly using Child Safety Seats. Please join us tomorrow:

July 17, 2014 2:00 p.m.

6233 Dayton Blvd.

Hamilton County Sheriff’s West Annex

Every summer, preventable deaths happen when children are left alone and unattended in hot cars. These cases happen when children are left in a hot car, sometimes because the driver forgot the child was there or when children get into unlocked cars without parents or caregivers knowing it happened. Within minutes, they can be in danger.

So far this year there have been sixteen heatstroke deaths of children in vehicles and last year there were forty-four deaths of children in vehicles. Data and studies show that these incidents can occur on days with relatively mild temperatures and where vehicles can reach life threatening temperatures very rapidly. Children are more susceptible and at higher risk for a heat-related illness or injury than adults, because their bodies make more heat relative to their size and their ability to cool by sweating are not as developed as adults. Temperatures inside a vehicle can increase by 30 to 40 degrees in an hour and 70% of this increase occurs in the first 30 minutes.

Becoming informed of these dangers will help in preventing the injury or death of a child but we should also not forget our pets, who can be effected by extreme heat.