NEW YORK — (NWS) — Each year, dozens of children and untold numbers of pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia. Hyperthermia is an acute condition that occurs when the body absorbs more heat than it can handle.
Hyperthermia can occur even on a mild day. Studies have shown that the temperature inside a parked vehicle can rapidly rise to a dangerous level for children, pets and even adults. Leaving the windows slightly open does not significantly decrease the heating rate.
The effects can be more severe on children because their bodies have not developed the ability to efficiently regulate its internal temperature.
The sun’s shortwave radiation (yellow in figure below) heats objects that it strikes.
For example, a dark dashboard or seat can easily reach temperatures in the range of 180 to over 200°F. These objects (e.g., dashboard, steering wheel, child seat) heat the adjacent air by conduction and convection and also give off longwave radiation which is very efficient at warming the air trapped inside a vehicle.
Two children died in hot cars over the weekend; 21 total deaths this year
— Breaking911 Weather (@B911Weather) July 25, 2016
