Soaring Temperatures Pose Deadly Threat to Children, Says National SAFE KIDS Campaign

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National SAFE KIDS Campaign
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WASHINGTON, July 10, 1997 -- Exposure to hot weather could be potentially life-threatening to children. Summer heat can raise temperatures to deadly levels, especially inside of a car. As temperatures soar, parents and caregivers need to take extra precautions when traveling with children.

"Parents should never leave children in a car in summer heat, even for a few minutes," said Heather Paul, Ph.D., executive director of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign. "Temperatures escalate quickly and it's critical for parents and caregivers to take extra precautions to keep their children safe."

Knowing how to prevent heat-related injuries can save your child's life. The National SAFE KIDS Campaign offers parents and caregivers the following safety precautions to combat the summer heat:

• If your child gets locked inside the car, dial 9-1-1 or your local emergency number immediately!
  
  
• Never leave your child in the car, even with the windows down. When the outside temperature is 83 degrees Fahrenheit, and your window is down two inches, the temperature inside your car can reach 109 degrees Fahrenheit in 15 minutes.
  
  
• The color of your car's interior can make a difference. For instance, the following chart represents colors of car interiors. If the outside temperature is 79 degrees Fahrenheit, the inside car temperature can soar to extreme levels.
  
  

  Interior Color	Potential Temperature
  WHITE	135 degrees Fahrenheit
  RED	154 degrees Fahrenheit
  BLUE/GREEN	165 degrees Fahrenheit
  BLACK	192 degrees Fahrenheit

  
  
  
• Make sure to check the temperature of the car seat before buckling your children in the car. Skin that touches a car seat surface over 150 degrees Fahrenheit can be severely burned in 1 second.
  
  

The National SAFE KIDS Campaign is the first and only national organization dedicated solely to the prevention of unintentional injury -- the number one killer of children ages 14 and under. More than 200 State and Local SAFE KIDS Coalitions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico comprise the Campaign. Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, M.D., is chairman of the Campaign and Vice President Al Gore and Tipper Gore are honorary chairs.

CONTACT: Jennifer Collins or Norida Aracelly Torriente of the National SAFE KIDS Campaign, 202-662-0600