Local agencies join forces to reduce deaths caused by heatstroke

Temperatures are on the rise here in the Desert Southwest and several local agencies teamed up to inform the community about the dangers of heatstroke and leaving children in the car during the hot summer months.

News 11’s has tips on how to keep your child safe.

“If they cannot get out of the car on their own it is a crime,” said Officer Fernando Alvarez, California Highway Patrol.

California Highway Patrol tell us whether it be a pet, child or elderly family member, they must be able to exit the vehicle on their own or you could be faced with a fine.

A child’s body temperature can rise up to five times faster than an adult’s.

Firefighters tell us that the last death due to a child being left in a car happened in 1999 but they have responded to similar calls recently.

“In the last week and a half or so we’ve had a handful of incidents at our local shopping centers. Pets, elderly, anybody else, it’s the same thing,” said Jason Bandaruk with the El Centro Fire Department.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, heatstroke is the number one killer of children, outside of car crashes. Heatstroke can occur in temperatures as low as 57 degrees.

The California Highway Patrol, along with Imperial County Emergency Medical Services and the El Centro Fire Department have these recommendations for parents:

1. Never leave a child in a vehicle unattended even if the engine is running.

2. Make it a habit to look in your back seat every time you exit the car.

3. Always lock the car and put the keys out of reach.

“It can take only just a few minutes, especially if the engine is off. So we recommend don’t get in the habit at all, just don’t leave your kid or child in the vehicle at all,” added Bandaruk.