Awareness and First Aid
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Summer heat can turn a car into a danger zone in minutes. Understanding the risks and taking small precautions can help protect your child from heatstroke.
The alarming reality of hot car deaths
In South Africa, summer temperatures regularly exceed 30°C. Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that happens when the body cannot regulate its temperature effectively, leading to organ failure and potential death. “Children face significantly higher risks than adults due to their physiology,” says Kim Habib, Branch Manager at ER24 Lowveld. “A child's body temperature can rise up faster than an adult’s.” When stuck in a hot vehicle, a child's vital organs begin to fail once their core temperature reaches 40°C.
Danger strikes quickly
The speed at which cars become death traps is shocking. In just 10 minutes, a vehicle’s interior temperature can spike by more than 10°C. Some people think leaving a window slightly open, parking in the shade, or switching on the air conditioner can provide protection, but this is not true for these reasons:
- Even with the windows rolled down a little, a parked car can still heat up dangerously fast.
- Parking in the shade offers little protection when the temperatures are soaring.
- Without the engine running, the air-conditioning effect vanishes within minutes.
Life-saving tips
- Always check the back seat
Before locking your car and walking away, physically check that all children have exited the vehicle. - Stay on top of changes to routine
Be especially vigilant when someone else drives your child or when taking different routes to crèche or school. - Use memory triggers
Place your handbag, mobile phone, or laptop in the back seat so you’re forced to check before leaving the vehicle. - Secure your vehicle
Ensure your car is locked when it’s parked at home. Hot car deaths can occur when children accidentally lock themselves inside while playing. Store car keys safely out of reach of your child. - Secure fold-down seats
Keep rear seats properly closed to prevent children from crawling into the boot without your knowledge. - Educate about car safety
Teach your child that vehicles aren't playgrounds and should never be used for games like hide-and-seek. - Know emergency search priorities
If a child is missing, start by checking the pool and any nearby water. Then search every vehicle carefully, including the boot.
What to do in an emergency
If you spot a child in distress in a vehicle:
- Call 084 124 for real help, real fast. If the car isn’t yours, you can also call the police on 10111 – but if you let the ER24 Contact Centre know it belongs to someone else, they can contact the police for you.
- Remove the child from the vehicle
- Loosen clothing and move them into the shade
- Cool them with water, but avoid ice baths
- Remain with them until help arrives while others search for the driver.
“Hot car tragedies are entirely preventable with awareness and simple safety measures,” says Habib. “Even the most attentive parent can slip up – staying prepared and alert can save a child’s life.”