Hyperthermia Deaths of Children in Hot Vehicles Jan Null, CCM San Francisco State University Golden Gate Weather Services

Background 1 11 : Airbag deaths in the headlines.  N at’l Safety Council called it a “CRISIS”  T otal Fatalities = 41  2 2 2 : SARS deaths in the United States:  D aily headlines  T otal Fatalities = ZERO! 1 11 : Vehicular hyperthermia deaths of US children:  T T T Total fatalities = 190  2 2 2 2003 fatalities = 42

Since 1998

Legislation Proposed Only w/ Injury 2003 Fatalities & Legislation

Hyperthermia  Child’s thermoregulatory system less capable of cooling their bodies.  Their body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster than an adults.  Heat stroke at body temperature of 104 degrees F.  Death at 107 degrees F.

How Hot? How Fast? Summer 2002 Observational study  Summer 2002 Observational study  Equipment donated by Davis Instruments  16 study days with ambient temperatures from degrees F  On two days, measurements were also made with the windows opened 1.5 inches

How Cars Get Hot Incoming Shortwave Radiation Warms Interior Objects

How Cars Get Hot Outgoing Longwave Radiation Heats the Air

How Hot? How Fast?

2004 Headlines ▫ Roseburg baby dies after left in hot car ▫ Father arrested after 9-month-old daughter dies inside parked car ▫ Mother charged in 4-month-old's death ▫ Unattended infant found dead in a car in Newport ▫ 5-month-old infant dies after being left in car ▫ Doctors can't save baby found in hot car ▫ Baby Dies After Being Left In Car ▫ Tot dies inside car at auto dealership

2004 Headlines

Contact Information  Jan Null, CCM  Dept. of Geosciences, SF State University  Golden Gate Weather Services   