High temperatures are responsible for more than 100 child deaths in Europe
Leaving your little one in the car for more than 10 minutes increases the risk of heat stroke. This happens because the vehicle can double its temperature in just half an hour. We would be talking about a transition from 30 degrees to 60 in a very short time.
It is for this very reason that it is dangerous to leave children alone in the car, even when it is not hot, and the chances increase amid a heat wave such as it has hit several parts of Spain today.
The magnifying glass effect, dark cladding and concentrated heat exacerbate the situation. In addition, when the human body exceeds 42 degrees, the chances of heat stroke skyrocket. Other consequences are heat stroke, burns, hyperthermia. According to data from Acierto.com, 100 minors have been killed in Europe in recent years. The ranking of deceased children is led by France, Germany and Italy (in that order). 65% were younger than two years old. In some countries, such as the United States, the annual death toll rises to nearly 40.
Some of the symptoms of heat stroke are fever, very hot skin, rapid breathing, headache, vomiting… In this case, the first thing to do is get the child out of the car (or call 911 if the car is not ours) and lower the temperature. We can do this by immersing him in warm water or with cold compresses on his head. Leaving him on the floor and lifting his legs is recommended. If he is conscious, we should give him water, if possible with salts, so that he rehydrates well.
To prevent incidents like this, some countries, such as Italy, have mandated the use of the child warning system in the car: an alarm that warns if the driver drives away from the vehicle and leaves their little one in it. However, this is not the case in Spain.
On the other hand, there are some good practices for traveling with children and heat. Before we put the child in the car, we must, among other things, check whether the inside temperature is sufficient. The ideal is between 21 and 24 degrees. In addition, if it is exposed to the sun, it is useful to ventilate earlier.
The air conditioning becomes our ally. However, the airflow should not be aimed directly at it. Otherwise, your mucous membranes can dry out or irritate the airways.
It is also not useful to stay warm and turn up the air conditioning, ideally you travel with comfortable, loose and light clothing. In addition, fitting him with certain warm clothes in the seat increases the chance that the retention system will not work properly and the child will stop suddenly or have an accident. Have extra clothes in case you get dizzy.
To avoid direct sunlight, we can opt for umbrellas. Other recommendations include not going outside during busy or very hot hours, checking your temperature regularly, resting every hour and a half to allow the baby to move, not planning too long trips, taking water with you to hydrate him, etc.
Source: La Verdad
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
