II. Mechanism
- Solar radiation passes through vehicle windows and is absorbed by seats, floor and other internal objects
- Vehicle glass traps much of the solar radiation within the vehicle, and it continues to accumulate
III. Epidemiology
- Incidence of pediatric death in U.S. from Heat Stroke related to being left in car: 28-43 per year
IV. Precautions
- Children left alone even for minutes within closed cars are at significant risk for Heat Stroke and death
V. Findings: Heat increase within car over time
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General
- Temperature within a closed car rises as much as 7 F every 5 min
- Within 1 hour, Temperature increases within car >40 F more than outside Temperature
- Cracking windows by 1.5 inches does not signiifcantly affect heat increase
- Some studies have found minimal effect even with windows cracked 8 inches (20 cm)
- Outside air Temperature 70 F
- Internal car Temperature at 20 min: 99 F
- Internal car Temperature at 40 min: 108 F
- Internal car Temperature at 60 min: 113 F
- Outside air Temperature 80 F
- Internal car Temperature at 20 min: 109 F
- Internal car Temperature at 40 min: 118 F
- Internal car Temperature at 60 min: 123 F
- Outside air Temperature 90 F
- Internal car Temperature at 20 min: 119 F
- Internal car Temperature at 40 min: 128 F
- Internal car Temperature at 60 min: 133 F
- Outside air Temperature 95 F
- Internal car Temperature at 20 min: 124 F
- Internal car Temperature at 40 min: 133 F
- Internal car Temperature at 60 min: 138 F