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What Happens When Leaving Your Baby Alone In The Car

What Happens When Leaving Your Baby Alone In The Car

What-Happens-When-Leaving-Your-Baby-Alone-In-The-Car

With a long list of tasks to do, women must sometimes run in all directions and do several things at once to make the most of the day. But with a baby in her arms, it gets more complicated. This is the case of this young mother who left her baby in the car to make a quick jump to the supermarket, without suspecting the serious consequences of her act.
Discover what would happen to a baby left alone in the car!
We've all had one day or another have to leave our baby in the car while stopping at the ATM, or to speak with an acquaintance, without realizing the seriousness of this act to appear harmless. In fact, leave a child alone in the car, even with the windows open, could cost him his life.
Therefore do not let your child alone in the car?
A car parked outside, even when it's pretty cool, sees its temperature increase very quickly and become suffocating. According to a study by the Federal Agency for Road Safety, the interior temperature of a car parked outside can increase one degree per minute. In other words, if it's 20 degrees out and you leave your car parked for 15 minutes, the internal temperature reaches 35 ° C.
Imagine how hot it is there when the outside thermometer reads 25 ° C and above. Not to mention that the dark color of the bodywork contributes considerably to the heat absorption.
What are the risks that can run a child locked in a car?
When you leave a baby or a young child alone in a car, even if it is asleep, it may be afraid and waking up to find himself alone with no reassuring familiar presence. So start to cry and scream and found no solace. It can be kidnapped or worse, lose their lives.
Indeed, when the temperature of the car interior begins to skyrocket, body temperature also increases and it begins to sweat profusely. Contrary to adult, his little body does not have sufficient reserves of water to regulate temperature and maintain for a long time. Thus, after 15 minutes, it can suffer from hyperthermia, or what is commonly called "heat stroke".
What are the symptoms of hyperthermia?
To see if your toddler is now suffering from hyperthermia, be aware of the following signs:
  • He is feverish and very hot to the touch (temperature up to 41 ° C)
  • He is weak and is not as reactive as usual
  • He cries constantly (because of thirst)
  • It is sleepy
If your baby starts to convulse or if he loses consciousness, his life is in danger. It is therefore extremely urgent to call the emergency services, to save his life and to limit the damage that can cause dehydration to her internal organs.
How to react to this problem?
This kind of accident is much more common than we think. The Commission for Consumer Safety identified 26 accidents of children "forgotten" in cars, between 2007 and 2009, which resulted 7 deaths. 31% of these accidents involved children under one year, 54% of children between 1 and 3 years and 15% between 3 years and 13 years.
So if you find yourself facing a baby crying or sweating alone in a car, do not hesitate to call for help and to help him, even breaking the vehicle windows so as to try getting him out .
If he is still conscious, carry it in a cool place in the shade and apply cool compresses on his head, arms, legs and torso to lower his temperature. If there is vomiting, give him to drink a good amount of fresh water but not ice.
If unconscious, remove it from the car to a cool place, put it on the left side, folding his arms and legs while waiting for help. Try to lower his temperature by putting cold water compresses on his head and body.
How to prevent heat stroke during heat waves?
To avoid the consequences of, sometimes fatal, dehydration caused by hyperthermia, follow these tips:
  • Never leave your baby alone in the car, regardless of the conditions or climate.
  • Give him to drink regularly.
  • Under high heat, dress him light clothes and prefer shady areas.
  • If you are traveling during the summer, hit the road early in the morning or late afternoon to get some freshness. If you must travel during the day, take breaks every two hours, get out of the vehicle and put in the shade for at least 10 minutes. Open the doors or windows of your vehicle to ventilate.
  • Remember to hydrate yourself and give drink to your children